Overview

• Balboa posted a public apology acknowledging his action and later deactivated his personal social media accounts following heavy criticism.
• Referee Hernán Mastrángelo did not show a red card during the match but documented the spitting in his report, triggering a Tribunal de Disciplina case.
• Article 185 sets a minimum three-match ban for spitting, to be served in the Copa Argentina if set at three, with any extra matches carrying over to the league.
• The incident occurred in the closing stages after River’s 1-0 quarterfinal win that sent the club to the Copa Argentina semifinals, prompting on-field protests involving players and staff, including Marcelo Gallardo.
• Peruvian outlet reports suggest Alianza Lima has explored a future move for Balboa for 2026, a consideration that now intersects with the pending sanction.