Story By: Alex Cope,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
The referee slammed by Lionel Messi in Argentina’s Copa America defeat to Brazil has spoken out about the match for the first time and says he was “surprised” at Messi’s criticism.
Ecuadorian referee Roddy Zambrano has spoken about the controversial Copa America semi-final which saw holders Brazil knockout Argentina on their way to winning the tournament.
Speaking about Messi claiming the referee had “favoured Brazil in every play” of the match and that the “officiating was crazy”, Zambrano told radio station Super K-800: “He is dedicated to playing and I’ve never had a problem with him, the truth is his words surprised me, but everyone has their own opinion.”
Picture Credit: Golders
Speaking about possible penalties for Argentina’s Manchester City stars Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero, he said: “Otamendi went in hard and it wasn’t a nudge (on Otamendi). VAR reviewed it and decided it was 50-50 and I wasn’t called to see it. They didn’t think it was a clear penalty.
“On the first one, it is almost a reckless foul (by Aguero) on the defender. Why didn’t they show the camera angle from behind?”
After the collision between Aguero and Dani Alves Brazil stormed up the pitch and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored their second goal to seal the match.
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