Rio De Janeiro: For "severe errors" in Argentina's home World Cup qualifier against Brazil, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has dismissed Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha and video assistant Esteban Ostojich.
The judgement stems from an incident in which Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi slapped Brazil forward Raphinha in the face with an elbow during the first half of Tuesday's 0-0 draw in San Juan. Raphinha of Leeds United received a bloody wound in the mouth as a result of the collision, which required five stitches at halftime.
Ostojich is heard informing Cunha in a video released by CONMEBOL on Wednesday that the foul was a "yellow-card offence." Despite the advice, Cunha chose not to admonish Otamendi or award a free-kick to the Benfica defender, according to reports.
"The performance of Andres Ismael Cunha Soca Vargas, the chief referee, and Esteban Daniel Ostojich Vega, the [video assistant referee], was technically assessed by [the referees' committee], which found that they committed substantial and manifest errors in their duty," read a CONMEBOL statement.
Otamendi had "placed the bodily integrity" of the Leeds United player in jeopardy, according to the statement, and both match officials had been suspended "indefinitely." On Wednesday night, the Brazilian Football Confederation said that it would file an official protest with FIFA, requesting that Otamendi be suspended.
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