Clube de Regatas do Flamengo hereby announces that it will take action with CONMEBOL regarding the refereeing performance in the CONMEBOL Libertadores match against Estudiantes de La Plata this Thursday. What we saw on the field, led by Colombian referee Andres Rojas, was a parade of mistakes and decisions that went beyond the limits of human error, revealing a biased approach, with differential treatment given to both teams, directly compromising the sporting result and the credibility of the competition.

The images of the match are clear and indisputable, revealing the enormity of the errors committed. Reversed fouls and disproportionately awarded yellow cards against Flamengo reveal the imbalance of the referee's decisions favoring the visiting team. A penalty was awarded for a deliberate handball by the defender in a dispute with Luiz Araújo, and Gonzalo Plata was subsequently sent off, receiving a second yellow card for a foul in which he was the one fouled. The awarding of an irregular goal by Estudiantes, awarded after a touch on the forward's open arm, who expanded his area beyond his natural range of motion, makes everything even more serious. Situations like these cannot be treated as simple errors, but rather as a direct attack on the integrity of the tournament.

As if the numerous capital errors highlighted in the national and international press weren't enough, the video assistant referee Nicolás Gallo's (COL) omission and the failure to utilize VAR when protocol required his participation also drew attention. All of these elements reveal a disastrous performance by the refereeing team, which also included assistant referees Alexander Guzmán Bonilla (COL) and John Alexander León Sánchez (COL), as well as fourth official Jhon Alexander Ospina Londoño (COL), which directly influenced the outcome of this match and also compromised Flamengo's lineup for the decisive match in Argentina. 

Flamengo will appeal to CONMEBOL against the absurd expulsion of player Gonzalo Plata, confident that the South American Football Confederation will urgently review the decision and reverse the punishment imposed on the player. The same must be done for the next match, otherwise it risks perpetuating an injustice that would further harm the competition and tarnish its image internationally.

The club reaffirms its confidence in the integrity of CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez, recognized for his commitment to the development and best practices of football on the continent. Flamengo hopes that immediate action will be taken to repair, even partially, the enormous damage caused by the refereeing in this match and preserve the legitimacy of the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Flamengo Regatta Club