MY ACCOUNT
Brazil head coach Tite has criticised the decision to appoint a Colombian referee for Thursday’s chaotic 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Ecuador.
Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan handed out four red cards throughout the game, including two to Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson which were both rescinded by the VAR, along with two overturned penalty awards for Ecuador.
Trailing 1-0 to Casemiro’s first-half strike, Ecuador had a 55th-minute penalty awarded by Roldan overturned when it was determined Pervis Estupinan had dived in the box as opposed to being fouled by Raphinha.
In stoppage-time, the hosts again thought they had a penalty which could have led to the winner after a foul from Alisson but the award was overturned by the VAR, offering the Liverpool goalkeeper and Brazil a late reprieve.
Tite was critical of Roldan’s “impulsiveness” but also the decision to appoint a referee from Colombia, who came into this matchday fourth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying behind Ecuador.
“Today there was no point in appointing a referee from the fourth country in the table, when the third and first were playing,” Tite said at the post-game news conference.
“Roldan is a good referee, but it gives for interpretations. The designation took a bit of sensitivity.”
Tite added: “It was a difficult game. The number of fouls was exaggerated, 20 fouls by Ecuador and 12 by us.
“The circumstances happened, it wasn’t evil, it was impulsive. Incorrect, yes. And it needs to be corrected, yes. It needs to be mature, yes. But it wasn’t evil.”
