CONMEBOL Zone World Cup Qualification: Argentina Vs Brazil Match Official Sentenced For Not Giving Otamendi A Red Card

JAKARTA - Two officials responsible for the 2022 World Cup qualifying match between Argentina and Brazil on Tuesday night were suspended indefinitely by the CONMEBOL Refereeing Commission.

This came after the main referee, Andres Cunha of Uruguay, ruled out Argentine centre-back Nicolas Otamendi for elbowing Brazilian winger Raphinha. His VAR assistant, Esteban Ostojich, was also punished.

Andres Cunha didn't see the incident in person, but Esteban Ostojich in the VAR room watched it from several angles. He did not tell his compatriot that Otamendi should be expelled for committing the act.

A video featuring Cunha and Ostojich discussing the Otamendi and Raphinha incident went viral. The following is the full conversation as reported by MARCA.

Assistant: Watch his face.

Assistant: He touched his feet, for me there was no hit. Look just in case.

VAR: Watch his face.

Main referee: I didn't see the shot.

VAR: With the forearm on the face. Normal speed, give it to me. I want to see the intensity.

Main referee: They're looking into it.

VAR: I want to see the intensity. Normal speed. With the forearm, was he violated at least?

VAR Assistant: No.

VAR: I think here, the forearm hit to the face, moderate intensity, yes, in the face. For me it's a yellow card foul, I don't see it as a red card, Ale. Do we agree?

VAR Assistant: We agree.

VAR: Andres (main referee), check done. Improper use of the arm.

Main referee: Okay, okay, that's clear.

VAR: And that's outside the area. Please give me 10 more seconds. Return.

VAR Assistant: Wait, don't restart. Wait.

VAR: There, give me a replay whether it's inside or out.

VAR Assistant: Outside.

VAR: But let's confirm. Outside, it happened outside. Come on, go on, carry on.

Unfortunately, the video showing this conversation on Twitter has been disabled in response to the copyright owner's report.