In a bizarre sequence during a second-division Bolivian football match, Wilstermann Cooperativas goalkeeper Gustavo Tesonotte turned his back to the penalty spot and refused to defend his goal in protest of what he called an irresponsible and unjustified officiating decision.
The incident occurred on a Sunday during a Copa Simon Bolivar fixture between Atlético Independiente de Cochabamba and Wilstermann Cooperativas de Potosi. Deep into stoppage time with the score tied at 2–2, Cochabamba forward Ernesto Adiri broke free toward goal and encountered Tesonotte. The goalkeeper stood his ground to block the path without making physical contact, yet the referee whistled for a penalty, sparking immediate fury from the Potosi squad.
Twenty-Minute Protest Fails to Overturn Referee’s Call
Following the referee’s whistle, Wilstermann Cooperativas players surrounded match official Carlos Arteaga to protest the decision. The heated arguments lasted for roughly twenty minutes before the penalty could proceed. According to Tesonotte, an agreement had been struck with the opponent during the prolonged delay.
Tesonotte stated in an interview with Bolivian media outlet Unitel that the penalty taker had promised to miss the shot intentionally out of fair play. “We had talked with the striker about fair play, we behaved like men because there are also codes in football. We were surprised that he marked this goal,” Tesonotte said.
A Silent Protest on the Goal Line
When the spot-kick finally took place, the player who allegedly suffered the foul, Ernesto Adiri, stepped up to take it. Rather than preparing to make a save, Tesonotte walked over, leaned his back against the goalpost, and faced away from the ball. Adiri sent a soft shot down the middle of the empty net to secure a 3–2 victory for Cochabamba.
As the ball crossed the line, Tesonotte sarcastically applauded the goalscorer. He later explained that the collective action was a deliberate statement against the officiating. “It was a form of protest. It is irresponsible to whistle this unjustified penalty,” Tesonotte told Unitel.
Disciplinary Action and Group Standings Impact
The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) subsequently intervened, suspending referee Carlos Arteaga for an indefinite period following the match. However, the result on the pitch stands as a 3–2 defeat for Wilstermann Cooperativas.
The loss leaves the Potosi club needing a victory in their final group fixture to advance further in the Copa Simon Bolivar tournament.
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