Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals after a victory over Los Angeles FC. Now, coach Javier Mascherano has spoken out about controversial decisions from the referee and VAR.
Last Wednesday, Inter Miami pulled off a dramatic 3-1 win over LAFC, overturning a first-leg loss to book their place in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they’ll face Vancouver Whitecaps. However, Lionel Messi’s team felt they were unfairly affected by several calls made by the referee and VAR—a topic that head coach Javier Mascherano addressed directly.
“It’s good to point it out, especially when it’s already happened and we got a positive result. Of course. Because normally, it can come off as an excuse,” Mascherano said during a Friday press conference, as shared by Diario Ole. “It’s good to speak up so people know we’re not letting it slide, right? That we’re not stupid.”
Inter Miami’s complaints with Mexican referee Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos and VAR mostly centered around one key moment: a disallowed goal by Luis Suarez for an alleged offside, even though TV replays appeared to show the striker was onside.
“It’s strange that the offside line was drawn based on the player in front, not the one behind. I haven’t heard any explanation that satisfied me,” Mascherano said of the VAR review. “But well, there must be a reason, and maybe I’m the one who’s wrong.”
Inter Miami have more than one reason to be upset
In addition to Suarez’s disallowed goal, another controversial moment came when a Lionel Messi free kick goal was waived off despite being initially awarded by the referee. And Mascherano added a third incident to the list.
“There was also something in the first leg. The way I see it, an off-the-ball foul is a straight red card. There’s nothing more to say when you go to VAR and see how clear it was,” the coach said, referring to a hit by LAFC’s Nathan Ordaz on Maximiliano Falcon that went unpunished.
Still, the Argentine coach made it clear he doesn’t believe these officiating and VAR mistakes were rooted in any bias against Inter Miami. “I believe in the integrity of the competition, and I didn’t see anything shady or suspicious,” Javier acknowledged.
“I don’t like to stir up controversy, I don’t like it,” Mascherano added. “I always tell the players the same thing—something I learned from one of the great coaches I had, Luis Enrique. He used to say, ‘Let’s focus on what we can control, and what we can control is the game. We can’t control the referee’s decisions.’”
What’s next for Inter Miami?
After securing their spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, Inter Miami now have a few weeks to refocus on Major League Soccer. They currently sit second in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind leaders Columbus Crew.
This Sunday, the Herons will visit Chicago Fire, followed by a key matchup next Saturday against Columbus Crew—one of the top contenders in MLS. Then, on Thursday, April 24, they’ll play the first leg of the Champions Cup semifinals against Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place.
From: bolavip.com
