The USA males’s nationwide group bounced out of Copa America 2024 Monday evening as a result of a loss to Uruguay. Gregg Berhalter’s group needed to beat the South People on the evening to stay within the match. This was as a result of Panama topping Bolivia within the different Group C matchup on the evening. The outcomes, nevertheless, imply that each Uruguay and Panama superior to the knockout stage.
The disappointing evening was notably irritating for the People because of the officiating of their recreation. Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega was in command of the match and repeatedly made a sequence of wierd calls all through the evening. Undoubtedly probably the most weird resolution by Ortega got here within the thirty second minute when the ref concurrently confirmed USMNT defender Chris Richards a yellow card and allowed Uruguay to play on.
Fortunately for the People, Uruguay didn’t rating in the mean time regardless of having an enormous benefit. Guidelines clearly state that play should instantly cease as soon as a card is within the strategy of being issued. After the match, USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams claimed to have by no means skilled such an incident earlier than in his profession. American captain Christian Pulisic additionally acknowledged comparable opinions on the referee following the loss.
A doubtful VAR incident additionally marred the match as effectively. Ortega, nevertheless, shouldn’t be in charge of video replays as a match referee. However, the referee’s antics didn’t cease following the ultimate whistle. Ortega was additionally seen refusing to shake Pulisic’s hand after the sport. Regardless of the refereeing blunders, the USMNT finally failed by not scoring a objective on the evening.
FIFA chosen Ortega for 2022 World Cup regardless of controversies
In keeping with studies in his native nation, Ortega has been an expert referee since 2015. The official began by working Peruvian Primera and Segunda Division matches right now, however subsequently gained his FIFA standing in 2019. This opened up a chance to referee video games on the worldwide stage.
Ortega was among the many referees officiating males’s soccer matches on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was additionally a fourth official and VAR for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Peruvian referee was even on the sidelines for the USMNT’s win in opposition to Iran on the match.
Regardless of repeatedly that includes in vital matches, Ortega is not any stranger to controversy. Former Sport Huancayo star Marcio Valverde claimed that the ref insulted him on the pitch after which threatened to ship him off if he celebrated scoring a objective again in 2020.
Simply months later, Ortega was then again within the information after exhibiting Santos goalkeeper Diego Penny a pink card late in a recreation. Penny asserted that the referee additionally verbally attacked him and even winked on the keeper following the sending-off.
Referee for USA loss in opposition to Uruguay had controversial incident
Ortega as soon as once more discovered himself embattled in controversy following a Copa Libertadores fixture in 2022. The matchup, between Boca Juniors and Bolivian aspect All the time Prepared, finally ended with the Argentine membership receiving a late penalty kick. The choice was instantly seen as incorrect and resulted in a Boca victory.
Following the sport, information studies confirmed Ortega obtained presents from the Argentine group. In keeping with the aforementioned report, native police seized the presents, which included Boca Juniors jerseys.
Regardless of the sequence of points, Ortega has by no means confronted sanctions from FIFA. He continues to earn choices for matches from totally different committees. The poor efficiency and the choice to even have Ortega current on the match shouldn’t be an excellent search for Copa America officers. It additionally leaves a black eye on the match as hosts United States may also prepare the 2026 World Cup.
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Copa América 2024
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