Former manager of the Colombian national team, Jorge Luis Pinto, is
accused of threatening an official during last weekend’s Copa Mustang
match between his current side, Cúcuta Deportivo, and Envigado.
The threats supposedly took place near the end of the match. Pinto was furious when referee Hernando Buitrago only added four minutes of injury time instead of the expected six. Pinto was sent off for his protests, his third expulsion this season.
The official match report includes the threats, which are scheduled to be discussed at the next meeting of governing body Dimayor.
The incident took place a day ahead of another scandal, which occurred in the match between Once Caldas and Boyacá Chicó. In that game, the home team were handed a penalty near full time while there clearly hadn’t been a foul. The spot kick was converted, with a 2-1 victory as result.
In addition to the bad call, the referee in that match, Sebastian Valencia, is in fact from the region of Caldas and is accused of lacking impartiality. Many have called for the use of foreign referees in Colombian domestic matches.
