Colombia want referee suspended for actions in 2-1 Brazil win | OneFootball

On Thursday, the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) went to Copa América organisers to request that Nestor Pitana, the referee who officiated Brazil’s 2-1 win, be suspended.

The FCF alleges that the Argentine, who officiated the 2018 World Cup final, changed the outcome of the match by allowing play to continue after the ball struck him outside David Ospina’s box.

With many of the Colombia players grinding to a halt, Roberto Firmino headed home his 78th-minute equaliser less than seven seconds after the incident.

Colombian players would spend around seven minutes protesting the no-call on the pitch, which led to 10 minutes of stoppage time being added at the end of the contest.

Of course, Casemiro would bag the winner in the 10th and final minute of stoppage time, leaving Colombia on four points following their group-stage run.

“The VAR even told the referee that the pass from the Brazilian player that bounced off the referee was going to be received by a Colombian player,” a statement by the FCF read.

“However, the central judge and the VAR referees decided to omit the application of Rule 9 of the game rules, directly affecting the result of the match.”

Despite only earning four points, Colombia have qualified to the quarter-finals as they mathematically cannot finish at the bottom of Group B.