DistantNews
Support us
Player Accepts Blame for Red Card That Affected Team's Copa Sudamericana Match
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Player Accepts Blame for Red Card That Affected Team's Copa Sudamericana Match

From Clarín · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Wilfrido Manuel Báez Matto, a Deportivo Recoleta forward, was sent off for elbowing an opponent during a Copa Sudamericana match against Boca.
  • Báez admitted responsibility for the play, stating he raised his arm instinctively during a marking attempt.
  • His expulsion, along with another player's, left the team with nine men and contributed to their 3-1 loss.

Deportivo Recoleta forward Wilfrido Manuel Báez Matto has spoken out after his expulsion during the Copa Sudamericana match against Boca Juniors. Báez received a red card for an elbow to the face of Boca player Leonel Flores late in the first half, a decision confirmed by VAR review.

I'm going to tell them not to expect my apology, because that's for cowards. I take responsibility for that play.

— Wilfrido Manuel Báez MattoThe Deportivo Recoleta forward takes responsibility for the elbowing incident that led to his expulsion.

Báez, 32, acknowledged the incident, stating, "I'm going to tell them not to expect my apology, because that's for cowards. I take responsibility for that play." He explained that he instinctively raised his arm while marking Flores, making contact with the Boca player's jaw. "By inertia I raised my arm and grabbed the Boca player to make myself felt in the marking, and I took his mouth. I already knew what was coming from the cameras," he added.

By inertia I raised my arm and grabbed the Boca player to make myself felt in the marking, and I took his mouth. I already knew what was coming from the cameras.

— Wilfrido Manuel Báez MattoBáez explains the physical action that resulted in the foul and his subsequent red card.

The expulsion significantly impacted Deportivo Recoleta, which later saw another player, Dairon Mosquera, sent off for a second yellow card. Playing with nine men, the team struggled to hold on, ultimately losing 3-1 after Boca scored three goals. Báez recognized the detrimental effect his dismissal had on the team's historic opportunity, stating, "The president entered the locker room angry. It was a match to make history and, unfortunately, because of that play for which I take responsibility, the game changed."

The president entered the locker room angry. It was a match to make history and, unfortunately, because of that play for which I take responsibility, the game changed.

— Wilfrido Manuel Báez MattoBáez reflects on how his expulsion affected the team's performance and the missed opportunity.

Despite the controversy, Báez indicated he has received support from his teammates and club management. "I haven't received any complaints so far, only support. My teammates and the directors know who I am," he concluded. The match, the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16, ended with Boca securing a 3-1 victory.

I haven't received any complaints so far, only support. My teammates and the directors know who I am.

— Wilfrido Manuel Báez MattoBáez discusses the reaction from his team and club management following his controversial red card.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Clarín in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog