River Plate has formally requested that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) not appoint Héctor Paletta as the video assistant referee (VAR) for any future matches involving the club, following a contentious Superclásico encounter with Boca Juniors at Estadio Monumental on April 20, 2026.
The request stems from Paletta’s role as VAR official during the match, which Boca won 1-0. River’s leadership contends that Paletta failed to recommend an on-field review of a late-game incident involving Lautaro Blanco and Lucas Martínez Quarta, a decision they believe directly influenced the outcome.
According to multiple verified reports from Argentine sports outlets, River’s management communicated their concern to AFA headquarters on Viamonte Street in Buenos Aires shortly after the final whistle. The club argued that Blanco’s contact with Martínez Quarta inside the penalty area warranted at least a review for a potential penalty kick, a view shared by several players and analysts in post-match discussions.
Martínez Quarta, River’s captain and central defender, was directly involved in the play. After the match, he confronted Paletta in the tunnel, stating, “No me deja jugar a la pelota, es penal. Me extraña de vos que vas al Mundo,” referencing Paletta’s upcoming participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a VAR official.
In the mixed zone, Martínez Quarta elaborated: “Blanco no tiene intención de jugar la pelota.” His comments underscored River’s belief that the challenge was reckless and deserved sanctions, yet no further review was initiated despite the availability of VAR technology.
Paletta, who transitioned from on-field refereeing to VAR duties in recent seasons, upheld the decision made by central referee Darío Herrera, who had determined that the contact did not rise to the level of a foul requiring intervention. Herrera, operating without VAR assistance in real time, maintained his original call after Paletta declined to recommend a screen review.
This incident is not isolated in the recent history between Paletta and River Plate. In January 2026, Paletta did not intervene following a potential handball by Gastón Campi of Barracas Central inside the area during a match where Fausto Vera’s shot appeared destined for goal. Similarly, in November 2025, he did not advise a review when Milton Giménez appeared to craft contact with Paulo Díaz before Exequiel Zeballos scored for Boca — a play River viewed as questionable but which Paletta deemed a legitimate shoulder-to-shoulder challenge.
Going further back, in a 2024 Superclásico at La Bombonera, Paletta again came under scrutiny when he did not recommend revisiting a potential red card for Marcos Rojo of Boca after an alleged spit on Facundo Colidio — a situation that, like the April 2026 incident, escalated due to perceived inaction from the VAR booth.
River’s frustration is compounded by Paletta’s familial ties to Boca Juniors through his brother, Gabriel Paletta, a former Boca defender who played for the club between 2007 and 2010 and has publicly expressed his allegiance to the Xeneize. Gabriel once stated, “Toda mi familia es hincha de Boca, y yo a veces lo iba a ver,” a comment that has resurfaced in discussions about perceived bias, though no official findings have ever supported such claims.
The club’s request echoes a similar move made by Boca Juniors after their 1-0 loss to River in May 2023. In that instance, Boca requested that Darío Herrera — who awarded a late penalty to River converted by Agustín Sández — not be assigned to their matches for a period. The AFA accommodated that request, and River now seeks a comparable resolution regarding Paletta.
Sources close to River indicated to Infobae that the AFA has responded receptively to their appeal, suggesting that Paletta is unlikely to be assigned to River’s matches in the immediate future, though no official timeline or duration has been disclosed.
Eduardo Coudet, River’s head coach, has not publicly elaborated on the request, choosing instead to focus on upcoming fixtures. However, internal communications confirm that the sporting director and executive leadership initiated the outreach to AFA officials as a procedural step to de-escalate tensions and preserve institutional harmony.
The AFA has not issued an official statement confirming receipt or acceptance of River’s petition as of this writing. Standard protocol allows clubs to raise concerns about officiating assignments, though such requests are evaluated based on availability, rotation policies, and perceived conflicts rather than automatic acceptance.
Héctor Paletta, 49, remains on the AFA’s elite list of VAR officials and is scheduled to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. His international appointment underscores his standing within global refereeing circles, even as domestic scrutiny intensifies following high-profile errors or perceived lapses in judgment.
River Plate’s next match is scheduled against Independiente Rivadavia in the Torneo Apertura, though the officiating crew has not yet been announced. The club will continue to monitor assignments closely, particularly for high-risk derbies or matches involving direct title implications.
For ongoing updates on Argentine football officiating developments, match previews, and post-match analysis, readers are encouraged to follow trusted sports news platforms and official club channels.
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