Bolivian Primeira Division: Following a recent match between Atletico Palmaflor and Blooming, in which a remarkable 42 minutes of added time were played, six officials from the Bolivian Primeira Division have been suspended. The match, which took place on a partially flooded pitch at Estadio Municipal de Quillacollo, faced significant challenges as a result. Follow Football LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
However, there were no indications of the controversy to come when Gilbert Alvarez scored the second goal for the home team in the 82nd minute.
Atletico Palmaflor appeared to be on their way to a comfortable win until Blooming scored a late goal through Gaston Rodriguez Maeso. The goal injected fresh energy into the game but was subjected to an overly lengthy VAR check for offside due to the terrible pitch conditions. After a total delay of 17 minutes, the goal was ultimately deemed valid, and the game continued.
Officials added 30 minutes to account for stoppages
Following the extended delay, it was widely expected that approximately 20 minutes of added time would be played at the end of the match. However, to everyone’s astonishment, the fourth official’s board indicated that an enormous 30 minutes would be added to account for stoppages.
90 +38 winner in the Bolivian League on Monday between Palmaflor and Blooming.
Two players were also sent off in added time.
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— ⚽️🏇⛳ Sports & Tips (@TipsandSport) March 18, 2023
As a result, referee Julio Fernando Gutierrez showed red cards to two Blooming players during this outrageously prolonged period of additional time. However, the visitors demonstrated admirable resilience by equalizing the match between those dismissals, with Jose Luis Sinisterra scoring in the 114th minute.
The finals result
Each of these events resulted in additional stoppage time, causing the host broadcaster to display a figure of 40 minutes of extra time to be played. As expected, this prolonged period allowed for a decisive goal to be scored.
Jonathan Canete found the back of the net in the 38th minute of added time, securing the win for Palmaflor.
Former president of Bolivia’s comments
Despite claiming victory, Palmaflor sports executive Evo Morales – who is also a former President of Bolivia – was very unhappy with the way that match had been officiated, stating afterward: “We are happy for our team’s victory against Blooming, despite the suspicious refereeing.
“We are sorry about it and ask for a performance review of all the referees who exaggeratedly prolong matches. We would not like to think that they were looking to make our team lose.”
Blooming, meanwhile, took to social media to mock the absurdity of the situation, joking that the final whistle had signaled the ‘end of the third half‘.
All six officials who were present have now been stood down from their roles, pending an investigation into the match.
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