The report from referee Andrés Merlos regarding Marcelo Gallardo's expulsion in La Paternal has been revealed.
The reasons why the head referee decided to send off "El Muñeco" (Gallardo's nickname) after a contentious first half at Argentinos Juniors' stadium.
🚨 TOTAL SCANDAL! Merlos' scathing report against GALLARDO revealed: Will he miss the next match?
The River Plate world is in turmoil after the defeat against Argentinos Juniors, but the focus isn't just on the result, but on Marcelo Gallardo's expulsion. In recent hours, the explosive report that referee Andrés Merlos submitted to the Disciplinary Tribunal was leaked, and the accusations against "El Muñeco" are more serious than expected.
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🚨 TOTAL SCANDAL! Merlos's scathing report against GALLARDO revealed: Will he miss the next match?
The River Plate world is in turmoil after the defeat against Argentinos Juniors, but the focus isn't just on the result, but on Marcelo Gallardo's expulsion. In the last few hours, the explosive report that referee Andrés Merlos submitted to the Disciplinary Tribunal was leaked, and the accusations against "El Muñeco" (Gallardo's nickname) are more serious than expected.
💣 Merlos's report: "Inappropriate conduct and irony"
According to El Gráfico, Merlos held nothing back when writing the match report from La Paternal. The 44-year-old referee detailed three key points that could keep Gallardo off the bench for the upcoming match against Vélez Sarsfield:
Inappropriate conduct: Inappropriate behavior on the bench for almost the entire first half.
Disapproval of decisions: Use of strong language to systematically question the refereeing team's decisions.
Irony towards authority: The incident that triggered the red card in the 44th minute. Merlos reported that Gallardo repeatedly and mockingly applauded after a foul was called in favor of River.
🥊 Tension in the locker room: "They almost came to blows"
The conflict didn't end on the field. At halftime, Gallardo and Merlos clashed in the locker room area. Reports indicate a heated exchange and such a tense atmosphere that security personnel had to intervene to prevent the confrontation from escalating from words to physical violence.
The relationship between the two has been strained since 2022, following a controversial Copa Argentina match against Barracas Central, where the River Plate manager publicly criticized the referee in a press conference.
⚖️ What sanction will Gallardo receive?
Now, the ball is in the court of the AFA's Disciplinary Tribunal. Based on Merlos's report, they will have to determine the length of the manager's suspension.
The biggest fear in Núñez is that Gallardo will be unable to be present next Sunday, February 22nd, at the José Amalfitani Stadium for the crucial match against Vélez Sarsfield in the Torneo Apert