Overview
- After Independiente’s 1–0 win at Riestra, Espinoza told TyC Sports that the “idiot” Caruso Lombardi “should keep quiet,” while defending the work of Argentine referees.
- The match included a late handball by Miguel Barbieri that Espinoza ruled unintentional, a view confirmed by VAR, and play continued before Santiago Montiel scored the winner.
- Hours before kickoff, Caruso posted a warning about possible harm to Riestra and Argentinos Juniors, intensifying scrutiny of the officiating going into the game.
- Caruso responded with a video accusing Espinoza of links to AFA official Pablo Toviggino and alleging prior misconduct, turning the dispute into a public feud.
- Espinoza was already under fire for validating a controversial penalty as VAR in Banfield vs Aldosivi, and no formal sanctions or investigations were reported after the latest exchange.