Javier Castrilli: What happened to Vidal was an unfortunate move, the physical integrity of the opponent was put at serious risk

The president of the Chilean Soccer Referees Commission, the Argentine Javier Castrilli, described as “correct” the expulsion of the Chilean Arturo Vidal in the 13th minute of the game that La Roja played against Ecuador (0-2), on the 14th date of the South American qualifiers at World Cup 2022.

The former international referee, recognized for his strong character and controversial decisions that he implemented in a soccer match, was approached by the Chilean press at the exit of the stadium where the match between Chileans and Ecuadorians was played. When asked about his assessment of the performance of the central judge Fernando Rapallini, from Argentina, he limited himself to answering: “Of the arbitration it is not up to me to give an opinion, because it is an international arbitration, and that’s what the Conmebol authorities are for ”.

Asked for his concept on whether or not the expulsion of the Chilean midfielder, Castrilli, who was a member of the Argentine Sports Safety Investigations Commission during 2001, was correct or not, he said: “It was an unfortunate move that compromised the opponent’s physique, and he was correctly expelled. There is absolutely no question. It is classified as rough and serious game”.

For the representative of the Chilean arbitration all the matches of the qualifying rounds “are complicated.”

Vidal, in an unfortunate play, hit the face of Ecuadorian defender Félix Torres with his right leg. The referee, who was nearby, showed him the red card.

On the expulsion of the midfielder, the newspaper Last News, from Chile, points out that Vidal had brought his children to the stadium Alonso, Elisabetta and Emiliano, along with his ex-wife Maria Teresa Matus and his bodyguard Gabriel marrero, who watched the game in the front row.

“I am sad, what happened is something incredible, I never thought that I could be expelled. I did not see the player (Félix Torres) and I can only apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff and the people who came to support us ”, he declared.

The player, who will miss two dates with his team, added: “I went with my head first and when I saw that it was long, I raised my foot, but never with the intention of hitting him. Very sad. My children were there. I leave with great sadness. There’s still a lot, we will keep fighting. And thanks to my colleagues, who gave everything in 90 minutes. We are going to keep fighting ”. (D)