Boca Juniors’ pursuit of the Copa Libertadores remains intense. Recently, Argentine media spotlighted Colombian referee Carlos Betancur, raising concerns among Boca supporters. His previous officiating history has left some fans uneasy, especially given Boca’s recent complaints.
Betancur’s Controversial History
Betancur’s handling of a critical match in the past has heightened scrutiny. He officiated the Copa Libertadores Sub-20 final between Boca Juniors and Flamengo. During that match, he failed to penalize a significant foul against Boca’s Jerónimo Campos, which many felt warranted an expulsion.
Boca’s Upcoming Challenge
Boca Juniors is currently in Guayaquil, preparing to face Barcelona of Ecuador at the Monumental Banco Pichincha. This match is crucial for their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the tournament following a recent defeat against Cruzeiro.
Referee Experience and Background
Despite being chosen for such an important match, Betancur possesses limited experience in high-stakes matches. To date, he has officiated only nine Copa Libertadores matches. His previous encounters include officiating matches involving six other Argentine teams:
- One win with Racing Club
- One win with Newell’s Old Boys
- One draw with San Lorenzo
- One draw with Barracas Central
- Two losses with Argentinos Juniors
- Two losses with Defensa y Justicia
This lack of experience in Copa Libertadores, combined with past controversies, adds to the pressure on Betancur as he prepares to officiate Boca’s crucial match against Barcelona.
