Chivas coach Cadena fined for referee remarks after América defeat
Ricardo Cadena is to be punished after criticising the standard of Mexican refereeing following Chivas Guadalajara’s 2-1 loss to arch rivals Club América.
Chivas Guadalajara head coach Ricardo Cadena has been fined for his criticism of the match officials after his team’s Clásico Nacional defeat to Club América.
Cadena bemoans “terrible” refereeing after Clásico Nacional
Speaking post-match at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday, Cadena described the standard of refereeing in Mexico as “terrible” after the visitors were left aggrieved by two moments of controversy in the Apertura 2022 clash.
Early in the second half, Chivas felt a header by Sergio Flores had crossed the line before América goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa parried his effort, but referee Adonai Escobedo did not award a goal and a VAR review upheld his decision.
After the final whistle in Mexico City, Escobedo then opted to show Chivas midfielder Fernando Beltrán a straight red card for dissent - a decision Cadena described as “over the top”.
“On the officiating, it is difficult for me to give a point of view, an opinion,” Cadena told reporters. “I’m surprised by the sending-off of Fernando Beltrán, because he’s not a guy who squares up, who behaves badly. It seems over the top to me. It’s going to be the referee’s word against the player’s.”
Asked about the Flores incident, Cadena said a photo shared online supported Chivas’ claims that the ball crossed the line: “There’s a very clear image on social media, you have to judge.”
He added: “I don’t talk about the refereeing, but it’s terrible nowadays.“
Cadena rap confirmed on Monday
In a statement released on Monday, the Mexican Football Federation confirmed that the Chivas boss is to be punished for his comments.
“The Disciplinary Commission wishes to announce that it has decided to impose a financial penalty on the Head Coach of Club Guadalajara, Mr. Ricardo Cadena Martínez, as during the press conference of the matchday-15 Apertura 2022 fixture between Clubs América and Guadalajara, he criticised the officiating, violating the Disciplinary Regulations of the Mexican Football Federation,” the governing body said.
Chivas out of contention for automatic playoff place
Saturday’s match at the Azteca - which was the 245th meeting between the arch rivals - saw goals by Henry Martín and Alejandro Zendejas earn Liga MX leaders América a 2-1 win over Chivas, who scored a consolation through Cristian Calderón.
With one game remaining in the Apertura regular season, Guadalajara sit seventh in the Liga MX and can no longer qualify automatically for the quarter-finals of the playoffs. The 12-time Mexican champions, who play their final league-phase game against Cruz Azul on 1 October, will have to negotiate a preliminary round if they are to reach the postseason proper.