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Football

05th May 2022

Boca Juniors accused of ‘giving gifts to referees’ before Copa Libertadores match

Daniel Brown

Boca won the match 1-0

Boca Juniors have been accused of “giving gifts to referees” before a Copa Libertadores match, with Bolivian club Always Ready releasing a video of police raiding the officials’ locker room.

The Argentine outfit secured a 1-0 win at Always Ready on Thursday (May 5) thanks to Eduardo Salvio’s 37th minute penalty.

However, after the match, footage emerged on social media of police officers finding several jerseys and gift bags from Boca Juniors in the referees’ locker room.

Always Ready were enraged with Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega following their defeat to Boca – accusing him of deliberately helping the Argentinian visitors win the clash.

The decision to award Salvio a penalty in the first-half led to complaints from Always Ready players, who were furious with the call from the official.

Colombian forward Mauricio Cortés was sent off in the 86th minute, with Vavel reporting that Cortés ‘hit’ Frank Fabra, who was on the floor. Following this, and in the middle of a melee, he then kicked him again before being shown his marching orders.

Important win for travelling Boca

The result was an important one for Boca, and leaves them second in the group and with a great chance of qualifying for the round of 16.

Boca Juniors are yet to comment on the accusations of “giving gifts to referees”.

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