CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP

Walter López, the man in charge of Inter Miami-Monterrey Concacaf Champions Cup clash

The Guatemalan match official will oversee the first leg of the game between the Herons and Rayados at Chase Stadium field on Wednesday.

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AP Photo/Gregory Bull

The most anticipated match-up of the quarterfinals in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup gets underway this Wednesday at Chase Stadium, as Inter Miami host Monterrey with the return leg scheduled for next week in Nuevo Leon.

While doubts of Lionel Messi’s participation in the game linger, we do know the match officials and VAR assistants for the game.

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi CHRIS ARJOONAFP

Inter Miami and Monterrey will be officiated by Guatemalan referee Walter López with the Guatemala City native a FIFA referee since 2006.

Who is Walter López?

Walter López is one of the most experienced match officials in the CONCACAF region and has already overseen a game involving Monterrey. His performance in the 2023 Leagues Cup saw Rayados fans angered as they complained about a penalty not being awarded by the official.

Hector Moreno (L) of Monterrey fights for the ball with Ricardo Marin (R) of Guadalajara JONATHAN DUENAS

Walter López’s biggest controversy occurred in the World Cup qualifiers prior to the Russia 2018 tournament in a game between Panama and Costa Rica in 2017.

López awarded a ‘ghost goal’ for Panama which ended up being instrumental in seeing the ‘Canaleros’ progress to the tournament although with the help of the VAR at Chase Stadium, the referee will have added video support.

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