Referee explains controversial handball call in Platense-Boca Juniors draw

The 1-1 draw between Platense and Boca Juniors in Argentina's Clausura Tournament has been overshadowed by a contentious refereeing decision. The controversy centers on a disallowed goal for Platense and a missed penalty call.

Platense thought they had taken a 2-0 lead when Luciano Giménez scored, but the goal was overturned after VAR intervention. The referee, Jorge Baliño, ruled that Giménez had handled the ball before scoring. However, Platense's coaching staff vehemently argued that Gorosito, a Boca Juniors defender, had committed a foul in the same sequence.

Baliño broke his silence to explain his reasoning. He admitted that while he saw Gorosito's gesture, he couldn't confirm if the ball had struck his arm due to being "tapped." He acknowledged that replays showed the ball clearly hitting Gorosito's arm, potentially altering its trajectory. Despite this, Baliño maintained that the handball was not intentional and the arm position was not "unnatural."

The referee also stated he did not discuss the specific play with the VAR official, Lucas Novelli, after the match, implying that the VAR had already determined the handball was not sanctionable. The decision leaves Platense frustrated and the debate over the match's outcome ongoing.