Guillermo Almada blasts VAR after América's Leagues Cup exit: “It was a horror”

Guillermo Almada left América's Leagues Cup semifinal defeat furious with the video assistant referee. The Mexican club was eliminated by Monterrey on penalties in a match shaped by disputed officiating from Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar.

Almada focused his strongest criticism on VAR official Erick Yair Miranda. He argued that the penalty awarded against América for a challenge involving Orbelín Pineda should not have been given, saying Pineda had moved toward the opponent's leg.

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Was it a penalty for you? Doubtful, right? Orbelín is the one who goes toward the leg.

“Was it a penalty for you? Doubtful, right? Orbelín is the one who goes toward the leg,” the Uruguayan coach said. He also referred to what he described as Miranda's previous record of decisions that harmed América and said the latest call was obvious.

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It wasn't a mistake, it was a horror by VAR.

América representatives believed Carlos Salcedo had clearly fouled Henry Martín inside the area, while the penalty involving Pineda was nonexistent. Almada said VAR should have intervened in the Henry Martín incident.

“There was a penalty he did not call, where he should have intervened, and it ended up being decisive,” Almada said. “It wasn't a mistake, it was a horror by VAR.” He called for better referees to work in VAR during decisive stages such as the Leagues Cup semifinals, arguing that Mexico has more capable officials available.

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The club cannot do anything if they appoint certain referees who have a record of continuous errors in the same direction.