Liga BetPlay Final Marred by Disputed Officiating

As reported by Antena 2, Deportivo Cali has won the Liga BetPlay Femenina title for the third time amid some referee disputes. They defeated Independiente Santa Fe again, but the match was more about the officiating than the game itself.

In the second leg at Estadio Deportivo Cali, the home team equalized the aggregate score and won 5-4 on penalties. Santa Fe had a small lead from the first leg, but their chances were affected by several controversial decisions from referee Mariana Quintero, who had also officiated the 2021 final between these teams.

Quintero issued red and yellow cards to two Santa Fe players during the match. Katherine Valbuena received her second yellow card after fouling Kelly Caicedo, while Mariana Silva was sent off with a red card for reasons that were not clarified. A penalty was awarded to Cali for a supposed handball by Valbuena, but VAR overturned this due to an offside call.

More issues arose during the penalty shootout. Aroca from Santa Fe had to take her penalty twice because of a laser distraction, allowing goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo another chance, but she couldn’t save it. There were also concerns about whether Cali’s goalkeeper faced any penalties for unsportsmanlike behavior during critical moments.

Both teams are set to compete in the Copa Libertadores Femenina in Argentina from October 2 to 18. Cali has been placed in Group D alongside Libertad, Nacional, and Universidad de Chile, while Santa Fe will compete against Corinthians, Always Ready, and an Ecuadorian team in Group A.