Referee Explains How He Favoured Argentina in Copa America to Get Messi’s Shirt
- A former referee has openly admitted to requesting Lionel Messi's Argentina jersey during a Copa America match
- The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner led Argentina to another Copa America triumph, adding yet another laurel to his trophy cabinet
- Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Messi is now the most decorated player in history
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A former referee has confessed that he deliberately avoided booking Lionel Messi during a match because he hoped to get his shirt afterward.
Carlos Chandia was in charge of the 2007 Copa America semi-final between Argentina and Mexico, where Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory.
Source: Getty Images
Gabriel Heinze, Messi, and Juan Roman Riquelme found the net as Argentina secured a place in the final against Brazil.
Messi received a yellow card in the 51st minute and nearly picked up a second for a handball late in the game, which would have ruled him out of the final.
But referee Carlos Chandia has now admitted he told Messi he’d avoid a second booking—on the condition that he handed over his match-worn shirt.
Referee confesses favouring Messi's Argentina
With 16 goals scored and just 3 conceded, Argentina faced Mexico in the semifinals, officiated by Chilean referee Chandia.
Years later, Chandia admitted to giving Argentina the benefit of the doubt in a controversial play involving the Barcelona legend.
"Out of nowhere, Messi handled the ball at midfield, but there was no scoring opportunity for the Mexican team or anything significant," Chandia recalled to ESPN FShow in Chile via Bolavip.
"I told him, 'This should be a yellow card, but it’ll cost you your jersey.' So, I didn’t book him. There were only two and a half minutes left, and the score was 3-0."
The Chilean referee later explained the reasoning behind his controversial choice:
"Giving Messi a yellow card would have cost him the chance to play in the Copa América final. Ironically, that decision ended up costing me the opportunity to officiate the 2007 Copa América final in Venezuela."
Messi honoured the referee's request
"After the game, Messi fulfilled his promise and left the jersey for me in the dressing room. He actually offered to take it off on the field, but I told him, 'No, no, no; take it to the dressing room.' And sure enough, he brought it there and left it for me."
Following this incident, Messi was cleared to play in the Copa América final against Brazil.
However, the match didn't go as Argentina had hoped, as La Albiceleste suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Seleção, leaving Messi without a trophy.
How much Shakira earned for singing in Copa America final
YEN.com.gh also reported how much Shakira was paid for Copa America's final performance.
The Colombian pop star entertained fans in Miami during the half-time break of the match between Argentina and her native country.
The half-time was extended by 25 minutes to accommodate the performance.
Source: YEN.com.gh
