The 15th round of matches in the Liga MX Apertura 2017 featured many goals, exciting games and controversial officiating. The games that were specifically impacted included the Chivas of Guadalajara vs Club Tijuana match and the encounter between Toluca and Monarcas Morelia.
On Saturday, Chivas hosted Club Tijuana at the Estadio Chivas in a game that was vital to Xolos’ chances of making the playoffs. The Xolos had a poor game and ended up losing the encounter 3-1 but it could have been a completely different game had it not been for referee Fernando Hernandez. In the 82nd minute of the game, Club Tijuana’s Gustavo Bou struck a free kick that found his teammate Juan Lucero and the back of the net.
There were no problems as the score was now 3-2 until suddenly the official Fernando Hernandez began to have second thoughts. The linesman did not pull up his flag for offside, but Hernandez decided to suddenly disallow the goal, reverting the score to 3-1. There is no video assistance or VAR in place in the Liga MX and it seemed as if somebody notified Hernandez that the goal was no good.
The match ended 3-1 and the call by Hernandez was ridiculous, incomprehensible and certainly had an effect on the momentum of the game. The Xolos’ players seemed to lose concentration and uninspired after the call and just seemed to give in to the result. Unfortunately, this was not the only call this weekend that made a significant impact on the result of a game in the Liga MX.
On Sunday, Toluca hosted Monarcas Morelia in what was set to be an exciting match between two teams that were set to make the playoffs. Morelia ended up winning the game by the slim 1-0 margin but it could have ended a lot different if it were not for referee Francisco Chacon. The Mexican official added three minutes of compensation time at the end of the match and over four minutes into stoppage time; then, Chacon decided to call a penalty for Toluca.
After several minutes of players arguing and the referee trying to explain the decision, the penalty was finally set to be taken 10 minutes into stoppage time. Pablo Barrientos took the decisive shot but it was saved by goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa; Barrientos did manage to score the goal on the rebound but Francisco Chacon did not allow the goal.
Chacon blew his whistle immediately after the penalty and it was either Barrientos scored it or he missed it and that would mark the end of the game. This decision was very bizarre and that point that could have been earned from a draw may even be the difference between making the playoffs or watching them from home for Toluca.
These were embarrassing and disgraceful calls by the Mexican officials that should merit some sort of sanction to both Hernandez and Chacon. Liga MX officiating has been the subject of controversy for years now and more so recently and this type of conduct by the referees that directly impact games cannot be seen consistently.
