In the aftermath of Fluminense’s loss to LDU in the CONMEBOL Recopa, Mário Bittencourt, the president of Fluminense, took to social media to express his frustration over the officiating, particularly the decision not to award a penalty to Germán Cano. Despite VAR’s intervention, the referee, Andrés Rojas, allowed play to continue, a move that bewildered Bittencourt and many fans.
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Bittencourt highlighted his astonishment and dissatisfaction, saying, “As regrettable as the referee’s absurd error in not awarding the penalty to Cano, it leaves me astonished that part of the sports press ignores the fact that, in addition to the push, Cano was stepped on on his left foot inside the area. There were two penalties in the same move, a push and a stomp!”
Tão lamentável quanto o erro absurdo do árbitro em não marcar o pênalti no Cano, me deixa estupefato que parte da imprensa esportiva ignore que, além do empurrão, Cano tenha sido pisado no pé esquerdo dentro da área. Foram dois pênaltis no mesmo lance, um empurrão e um pisão! pic.twitter.com/SNp9g2YWnF
— Mário Bittencourt (@oflumedomina) February 23, 2024
This sentiment was echoed by Fluminense midfielder Felipe Melo, who criticized the press for overlooking the refereeing decisions during the post-game press conference. The controversy underscores the team’s challenges as they prepare for the return game, needing a two-goal victory to clinch the cup.
