02:14 PM
One of the elements that has attracted the most attention in the lead-up to the match between Colombia and Costa Rica in the 2024 Copa América is the appointment of Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera. Although Tejera has extensive experience in South American qualifiers and CONMEBOL club competitions, his recent record has been marked by controversial decisions, which has generated some concern among the fans and teams involved.
Tejera has accumulated experience in four editions of the U-17 World Cup, where his performance has been recognized internationally. In addition, he has been part of the refereeing staff on numerous occasions in the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, two of the most important club tournaments on the continent. However, this match between Colombia and Costa Rica will mark his debut in a Copa América, which adds an extra layer of expectation and pressure on his performance.
In his career, the Uruguayan judge has only had one previous meeting with the Colombian National Team. This occurred when he served as a VAR assistant in the match against Chile during the qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Although his participation in that match was not particularly controversial, the memory of Colombian fans about his performance is still present.
Tejera’s appointment is not without controversy. In recent months, the Uruguayan referee has faced severe criticism, especially after an incident in a 2024 Copa Sudamericana match between Boca Juniors and Sportivo Trinidense. In that match, a penalty not called against the Paraguayan club generated a wave of criticism and harsh comments from the Guaraní team’s coach. This episode has left a shadow over the perception of his ability to manage high-pressure and high-profile matches.
The choice of Gustavo Tejera to referee the match between Colombia and Costa Rica in the group stage of the Copa América 2024 adds an extra dimension of intrigue to the match. With his mixed history of controversial decisions and his tournament debut, all eyes will be on his performance. Teams and fans expect their refereeing to be fair and precise, avoiding controversies that could influence the outcome of the match.
In a tournament where every match is crucial, the referee’s performance can be decisive. For Gustavo Tejera, this is a moment to demonstrate his ability and gain the trust of players and fans, ensuring that the match is played in a fair and transparent manner.
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