Steven Madrigal to Officiate Clausura Final Amid Controversy
The referee's appointment comes after a series of contentious decisions in the semifinals involving Saprissa and Herediano.
The Costa Rican Football Federation's Arbitration Commission has appointed Steven Madrigal as the central referee for the first leg of the Clausura final between Alajuelense and Herediano, scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. Madrigal's selection follows a contentious semifinal match on May 11, where his officiating during the game between Saprissa and Herediano attracted significant scrutiny.
During the semifinal, Madrigal was criticized for not awarding two clear penalties to Saprissa for alleged fouls against player Kendall Waston.
Additionally, concerns were raised regarding his decision not to issue a red card to Herediano's Joseph Mora after a foul on Emerson Bravo.
These incidents have contributed to ongoing discourse around Madrigal's performance throughout the tournament.
Henry Bejarano, a referee analyst, has expressed concerns over Madrigal's ability to effectively manage critical moments in high-pressure games.
According to Bejarano, the decision to appoint Madrigal was unexpected, suggesting that other referees, such as Bryan Cruz or Hugo Cruz, might have been more suitable candidates given Madrigal's history of contentious decisions.
He described Madrigal as having significant challenges in accurately signaling fouls and controlling matches overall.
In the officiating team for the final, Bryan Cruz has been designated as the fourth official, while Hugo Cruz will support Jesús Montero in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) role.
Assistant referees for the match will be Félix Quesada and Danny Soto.
The appointment of Madrigal has sparked discussions among fans and analysts regarding the fairness and integrity of officiating in the championship's concluding stages.
During the semifinal, Madrigal was criticized for not awarding two clear penalties to Saprissa for alleged fouls against player Kendall Waston.
Additionally, concerns were raised regarding his decision not to issue a red card to Herediano's Joseph Mora after a foul on Emerson Bravo.
These incidents have contributed to ongoing discourse around Madrigal's performance throughout the tournament.
Henry Bejarano, a referee analyst, has expressed concerns over Madrigal's ability to effectively manage critical moments in high-pressure games.
According to Bejarano, the decision to appoint Madrigal was unexpected, suggesting that other referees, such as Bryan Cruz or Hugo Cruz, might have been more suitable candidates given Madrigal's history of contentious decisions.
He described Madrigal as having significant challenges in accurately signaling fouls and controlling matches overall.
In the officiating team for the final, Bryan Cruz has been designated as the fourth official, while Hugo Cruz will support Jesús Montero in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) role.
Assistant referees for the match will be Félix Quesada and Danny Soto.
The appointment of Madrigal has sparked discussions among fans and analysts regarding the fairness and integrity of officiating in the championship's concluding stages.
