Ex-referee Chacón slams Katia Itzel's 'forced inclusion' in Liga MX match

Former referee Francisco Chacón has strongly criticized the performance of referee Katia Itzel during a Liga MX match between Querétaro and Tigres. Chacón, a prominent figure in Mexican football officiating, argued that Itzel's inclusion in top-flight games is a case of "forced inclusion" that ultimately harms her confidence and the quality of refereeing.

"We hope that after this regrettable refereeing by Katia Itzel in the Querétaro vs Tigres match, they realize that forced inclusion is bad for football, for refereeing, and for herself," Chacón posted on social media. He added that such situations are "undermining her self-esteem and only exposing her low level of refereeing."

Chacón's comments come amid ongoing debate about gender diversity in sports officiating. While many advocate for greater representation, Chacón suggests that prioritizing quotas over merit can be detrimental. He also highlighted an incident where Tigres player Paulo Victor appeared to deliberately strike Itzel with the ball, an action that further fueled criticism of her handling of the game.

Itzel's performance has reportedly drawn criticism since her debut in the league, with some experts suggesting she is primarily included to meet equality targets. Chacón's strong words reflect a sentiment among some traditionalists who believe that only the most skilled officials should be on the field, regardless of gender.