The ‘muscle’ referee that all the Peruvian people hate

Anderson Daronco is perhaps the strongest referee in the world, for obvious reasons. With biceps to envy those who live crushing themselves in the gym, this 41-year-old gaucho, a physical education teacher, is considered by players, coaches and journalists as one of the best referees in Brazil.

He has earned widespread respect not because of his imposing physique, although it is a factor to take into account since the soccer players do not surround him to complain so vehemently, but because of his mettle and the good interpretation of the game.

He had everything to act like an enlarged ‘pool pimp’, but he was preceded by the fame of being a simple, horny and talkative guy, an image that he has cultivated, mainly during the pandemic, when he has lavished himself on podcasts, ‘lives’ and television programs in which they have made headlines in conversations that revolve around his physique. “I think that, in a fight, I would beat the Hulk”is one of his pearls, which he always leaves in a relaxed atmosphere and between laughter.

All this goodwill that surrounds Daronco is not only limited to his country, but his appearances in South American qualifiers and continental club tournaments have earned him funny articles… until a week ago.

He did not validate a phantom goal by the Peruvian Trauco, in the 91st minute, with 1-0 for Uruguay, in the mythical Centennial of Montevideowhich has unleashed the fury of the country of the Incas, since all the mathematical options for direct classification for Qatar 2022 were buried there.

The VAR images are not conclusive (some photographs, yes). There is no shot that reveals whether or not the ball completely crosses the goal line, when the goalkeeper Sergio Rochetwho is inside the goal, desperately saves it with his arms outstretched horizontally.

ENEMY NUMBER ONE IN PERU

Due to its importance, the incident joins the very long list of historical refereeing errors in South America. It was useless to reduce the indignation that Conmebol, as it usually does, published, the next day, the conversations between the referee and the VAR; and that, in addition, ratify the decision of the collegiate with a public note.

In Peru, they left Daronco back and a half. Popular newspapers lynched him. “Referee, thief, damn! & rdquor; came to stamp on the cover Nuevo Sol. Hardly, Conmebol will designate him to whistle in Peruvian territory in the Libertadores or the South American Cup because an altercation could be experienced.

The Peruvian Federation filed a formal complaint with FIFAalthough he is aware that he will not have a route.

The doubt will always remain that, with the goal validated, what outcome the South American group would have had. Would Uruguay, with all the pressure in the world, have won in Chile? Without pressure and qualified for Qatar, La Celeste won 0-2 on Tuesday.

For its part, La Albirroja, in a mass bath, overcame the controversy and won 2-0 over Paraguay in Lima. In June, everything will be played in a one-off play-off in Qatar against the winner of the tie between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.with the ghost of the goal not validated in Montevideo astonishing him.