Not even two months out: Gery Vargas returns to refereeing

Gery Vargas is returning to the field after little more than a month in the freezer. The Oruro referee, suspended indefinitely on July 31, has been appointed to oversee Sunday’s Copa Simón Bolívar match between Mineros Potosí and Atlético Junior.

The match, part of Bolivia’s promotion tournament, will take place on Sunday, September 6, at 3 p.m. Vargas, a FIFA referee, will lead the officiating team. Juan Víctor Magne and Paul Cano will serve as assistants, Javier Tirado as fourth official, and David Limachi will also be part of the crew.

The appointment stands out because the National Referees Commission of the Bolivian Football Federation suspended Vargas after his handling of the July 26 match between Blooming and The Strongest at the Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera stadium. The game ended 1-1, but the main controversy centered on Blooming defender Julio Vila’s dismissal.

Vargas called a tactical foul for what he judged to be a clear goalscoring opportunity. After reviewing the incident on the monitor through the video review system, he upheld the decision. It was later deemed a serious error of interpretation and judgment.

The punishment also affected VAR referee Álvaro Campos, AVAR Juan Pablo Flores and Quality Manager Ezequiel Justiniano over procedural failures linked to the review. Blooming had requested a two-year suspension and a financial penalty for Vargas. His swift return to an official appointment has reopened questions about the sanctions imposed by the commission and how discipline is managed in Bolivian refereeing.