06/28/2024
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 referee has only had one previous encounter with the Colombian national team. This was when he was acting 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 fresh.
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 taken against the Paraguayan club generated a wave of criticism and harsh comments from the coach of the Guaraní team. This episode has cast a shadow over the perception of his ability to handle high-pressure, 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 each 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 the players and fans, ensuring that the match takes place in a fair and transparent manner.
#Colombia
