Referee Ariel Gariano has explained his decision not to award River Plate a penalty during their match against Tigre, a call that sparked widespread protest from the River side. According to TyC Sports, Gariano addressed the controversy directly, stating his reasoning for letting play continue.
The incident involved River's Ángel Correa, who went down in the box under contact. River players and fans alike appealed loudly for a spot-kick, but Gariano waved play on. In comments reported by TN, Gariano described his decision as "correct," insisting he made the right call in real time.
The match ended in another defeat for River, deepening their recent struggles. Defender Nicolás Otamendi, speaking after the game, did not hide the team's frustration. As reported by Infobae, Otamendi said the squad must accept they are in a critical moment, acknowledging the gravity of their current form.
The penalty dispute adds to a growing list of concerns for River, who are now dealing with both on-field results and officiating controversies. Gariano's explanation, however, does little to soothe the anger from the River camp, who believe a clear foul was missed.
For Tigre, the result provides a boost, while River are left to regroup. The fallout from this match is likely to continue, with fans and pundits debating the penalty call for days. River will need to shift focus quickly to their next fixture, as pressure mounts on the team to reverse their slide.
What to watch next: whether River's coaching staff or club officials make an official complaint about the officiating, and how the team responds in their upcoming match.
