Fraud in the final of América vs Cruz Azul? VAR audio leaked

• America is controversially crowned two-time champion.
• Decisive penalty generates great controversy.
• Fraud in the grand final?

The Grand Final of the Clausura 2024 Tournament between América and Cruz Azul will be remembered for a controversial penalty that decided the match and crowned the Águilas as back-to-back champions.

Meanwhile, the Liga MX Referee Commission wasted no time in revealing the VAR audios related to the foul called by referee Marco Antonio ‘Gato’ Ortiz in the 71st minute of the game.

The Estadio Azteca was buzzing with every play in a duel where América, the defending champions, faced a staunch resistance from Cruz Azul.

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C4 JIMÉNEZ CONFIRMS THAT THEY HAVE TRIED TO KILL HIM

VAR Audio leaked in the final

Continuing with our TRANSPARENCY exercise from the Referees Commission, we share with you how the decision was made to score a penalty in the Cruz Azul area at minute 71, after the dispute for the ball between Reyes and Rotondi.

After the VAR recommendation of a… pic.twitter.com/n0TCZN4X2x

— Referees Commission (@Arbitraje_MX) May 27, 2024

When Israel Reyes fell inside the penalty area after an attempt to tackle by Carlos Rotondi, the referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot.

This decision sparked a wave of protests from the Cruz Azul players and prompted immediate intervention from VAR, according to El Financiero.

VAR, operated by Erick Yair Miranda and Vicente Jassiel Reynoso, asked the referee to review the play, highlighting a clear disparity in the interpretation of the action.

In the revealed audio, Miranda explained that, from his perspective, the América player dragged his foot to make contact with the Cruz Azul defender.

VAR decision

«The Cruz Azul defender throws himself to the ground with his leg extended to try to play the ball, assuming a risk with this action,» Miranda said.

«The América forward wins this challenge, clearly playing the ball with his right foot. Subsequently, the Cruz Azul defender, who does not play the ball, becomes an obstacle with his body to his opponent, preventing him from continuing his run, committing a reckless trip,» Miranda argued in the review.

Miranda considered that this contact was not sufficient to warrant a penalty kick, suggesting that the referee review the play again.

However, ‘Gato’ Ortiz stood firm in his initial decision, arguing that Rotondi did not touch the ball and that his impact with Reyes’ leg constituted a reckless trip.

Fraud in América vs Cruz Azul?

Listening carefully to the VAR audio, between the 8th and 10th seconds someone says “oh hell”.

I don’t know who he is, I don’t know if he’s one of the technicians or one of the decision makers, but he had a microphone glued to his mouth.

I am greatly surprised, since the deliberation seemed to be very… pic.twitter.com/FCHG0Krxgq

— Uncle Legends (@tioleyendas) May 27, 2024

«The América player pokes the ball and when he’s about to step, the supporting leg takes him with the chest. He has nowhere else to put it, he takes him with the chest,» said the head referee.

«There you can see the trip, the Cruz Azul player doesn’t touch the ball and with the body takes him with the (supporting) leg. I’m sticking with my decision, reckless foul,» Ortiz affirmed.

The controversy did not end there, as this interpretation divided opinions among analysts and fans alike.

On social media, they are ensuring that in the VAR audio, between the second 8 and 10 someone can