Larrivey's controversial expulsion: Two yellows for falling off a broken stretcher and arguing with the referee
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Joaquín Larrivey was controversially sent off during a match between Deportes Concepción and Universidad de Concepción.
- The striker received two yellow cards after falling off a broken stretcher and then arguing with the referee.
- Larrivey protested the decision, showing the referee the broken stretcher as evidence.
A controversial expulsion marred the match between Deportes Concepción and Universidad de Concepción in the Chilean Primera League. Joaquín Larrivey, captain and striker for Deportes Concepción, was shown a red card in a decision that has drawn significant criticism.
The incident occurred after Larrivey, who had scored the winning goal from a penalty, sustained an injury. As he was being taken off the field on a stretcher, it broke. Larrivey had to get off the damaged stretcher, prompting the referee, Fernando Véjar, to issue a yellow card. The player, incredulous, immediately approached the referee to show him the broken stretcher as proof of the malfunction.
However, Véjar did not relent and issued a second yellow card for the protest, resulting in Larrivey's dismissal. On his way off the field, Larrivey was heard discussing the situation with the fourth official, Miguel Araos. "Are you giving me a yellow card for that? Don't you see the stretcher broke? Why are you sending me off? I'm just telling you," the veteran striker calmly explained, attempting to reason with the officials.
The decision has sparked debate, with many questioning the referee's judgment in penalizing a player for an incident caused by faulty equipment and for protesting a situation that seemed to stem from a genuine equipment failure.
Are you giving me a yellow card for that? Don't you see the stretcher broke? Why are you sending me off? I'm just telling you.
Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.