Libertadores referee reveals how teams try to “buy” judges

In testimony toesdrújula TV‘, Andrés Cunha, a former field referee and one of the main names in charge of VAR in South American football, made strong revelations about schemes proposed by clubs. Mainly before decisive games, the professional confirmed that some teams try to “buy” the arbitration and even revealed how this happens.

According to the former referee, his experience is limited as he has only heard about cases of this magnitude, but he confesses that he has already been invited to something similar, but declined. “To listen [relatos], I always listened, because it is something that is talked about. Never did it [aceitar conversar], in truth. In order not to experience this, you have to take precautions: do not answer unknown phones”, Cunha said.

referee of world Cup in 2018, the same year in which he refereed the Libertadores final, played between river plate It is Boca Juniors, Andrés Cunha has always been a much talked about name among refereeing professionals. In this way, he said that he had to be careful with some contacts, which, at first, seemed normal, but had other interests.

“They say, ‘I’m such a person, I’d like to have a coffee with you to talk.’ Yes [aconteceu com Andrés Cunha], but I never accepted. Good part [dos casos] takes place before important matches. Suddenly, they say: ‘I’m a journalist from another country, I want to have a coffee to talk to you’”commented the video referee.

After a solid career in arbitration, the Uruguayan stopped refereeing in 2022, as he turned 45 and could no longer be a Fifa referee. Therefore, he chose to remain in the area, but operating outside the matches, in the VAR booth. In his role, Cunha continues to be one of the most renowned in the field.