By Carlos Ramírez Zago
Mexican Referee Hits Soccer Player
Mexican referee Fernando Hernandez kneed Lucas Romero, of the «panzas verdes» of Leon, during the match against America.
The Mexican referee’s knee to the player has gone around the world, being a topic of conversation in sports programs abroad, such as the famous program «El Chiringuito» of Spain, hosted by Josep Pedrerol, where they criticized the bad action of the Mexican referee and debated about the issue.
The one who should impart order was the one who assaulted; something never seen before that a referee was the one who assaulted a soccer player.
The disciplinary commission «washed their hands» and despite the strong criticism they received, they only punished the disqualified referee with 12 matches. Players, journalists, directors, and the public in general were expecting Fernando Hernández to be permanently removed from his position as referee, due to what happened with the player Lucas Romero, but the disciplinary commission wanted to avoid further controversy and, based on what its regulations dictate, only gave him 12 out of 15 games as a disqualified player.
It is regrettable that this kind of thing happens in Mexican soccer, but even more regrettable is the current situation of the refereeing commission in Mexico, led by Armando Archundia, who has made little difference since Arturo Brizio became its president.
Fernando Hernandez’s punishment is a disgrace!
New FIFA Ranking
Mexico is going through a bad moment soccer-wise. The failures in CONCACAF in the last two years and the disastrous participation in Qatar 2022 have made us see the reality of Mexican soccer today.
The last matches against Suriname and Jamaica in the Nations League did not help the Mexican national team to move up in the FIFA ranking. Mexico is currently in 15th place in the ranking, going from 9th to 15th in a matter of a year.
On the other hand, the «Stars and Stripes» team (United States) is in 13th place, surpassing «El Tri» once again and making it clear that they are going through a better moment than Mexico.
The ranking is made up as follows: Argentina, 2. France, 3. Brazil, 4. Belgium, 5. England, 6. Netherlands, 7. Croatia, 8. Italy, 9. Portugal, 10. Spain, 11. Morocco, 12. Switzerland, 13.
Sad reality of Mexican soccer!
Santiago Gonzalez, Masters 1000 Champion in Miami
Mexican Santiago Gonzalez and Frenchman Roger-Vasselin won their first Masters 1000 title in Miami. At the age of 40 and after a career of 22 years, the Mexican tennis player Santiago Gonzalez won his first Masters 1000 title and with this also his best position in the ATP ranking in his career.
With this result, Santiago climbed 18 positions and thus achieved his best ranking, the 19th position in the world in doubles.
The final was played against the French Nicolas Mahut and the American Austin Krajicek, a match that was decided in straight sets by 7-6 and 7-5, in favor of the couple Gonzalez-Vasselin.
It is admirable that at 40 years of age, the Mexican tennis player is still competing in the highest category of world tennis and winning the most important tournaments in the world. Undoubtedly, Santiago Gonzalez is one of Mexico’s best-ever tennis players and the only one who currently represents us at the highest and best level.
Legend Santi!
The Battle in Spain (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona)
The battle between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF in Spain is giving us something to talk about. Barcelona managed to arrive with the minimum advantage to the second leg of the semifinals of the Copa del Rey at the Camp Nou, against their fierce rivals Real Madrid.
Everything indicated an even match between both teams, but Barcelona was the favorite, due to the advantage on the scoreboard and their home situation, not forgetting that in the league they recently defeated Madrid, but on this occasion, it was quite the opposite. Real Madrid was more than on fire, with Vinicius and Benzema inspired and a Barcelona that never woke up.
Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for «los merengues» just before the break, at minute 45+1′. In the second half of the match and with the aggregate tied at one goal, an inspired Karim Benzema arrived to score the second goal at minute 50′. Minutes later, at 58′, the same Benzema scored his «double» and the third goal for the Madrid team from the penalty spot. In the 81st minute, Benzema once again scored his «hat trick» and sentenced the match in favor of the team in white by 4-0, thus becoming a historic victory for Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. With this result, Real Madrid advanced to the final of the Copa del Rey against CA Osasuna.
On the other hand, in La Liga, Barcelona (1st) is moving further and further away from Real Madrid (2nd) in the overall standings, on the way to the Spanish soccer title. As a result, both teams are fighting each other for the most important soccer tournaments in Spain.
Long live soccer!
