Referee suspended after adding 42 minutes stoppage time resulting in an unofficial “third half”.

Quillacollo (Bolivian) – Lengthy VAR checks and generous stoppage times are not uncommon in this country either. But in a game in the highest Bolivian league last week, the referees added a whopping 42 (!) minutes to it – and now had to face the consequences.

Even the word “eventful”, which is often used in football, hardly does justice to Tuesday’s game between Atletico Palmaflor and Club Blooming.

First, the home side took the lead in the first half through Jonathan Cañete’s (26) goal. In the pouring rain and on a sodden surface, captain Gilbert Álvarez (30) then expanded it in the 82nd minute.

But the victory was not yet bagged, because Blooming attacker Gastón Rodríguez (30) managed to catch up just four pointer turns later. However, the team of referees needed a whopping 17 minutes to check the goal, like Sky Sport reported.

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The actors on the lawn swamp were therefore prepared for a lavish second helping – and should still be surprised. Instead of 19 or maybe 20 minutes, the referees allowed a record-breaking 42 minutes to be replayed.

It happened the way it had to. Although the guests were outnumbered after a red card in the 111th minute, José Sinisterra (24) equalized in the 114th minute.

The duel became rougher as a result, rude fouls and heated arguments determined what happened. Blooming was also sent off twice and apparently gave the referees another reason not to think about the final whistle.

So the pros kept playing. In the 38th minute of injury time, Cañete finally tied the brace to make it 3-2, four minutes later it was the end of the game.

“We are happy about our team’s victory against Blooming, despite the suspicious refereeing,” said Palmaflor President Evo Morales (63) afterwards. “We regret this and ask for an investigation into all referees who extend games excessively.”

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Blooming responded to the bankruptcy at length on Twitter. “End of the third half,” wrote the club scornfully. “Awkward referees who once again became protagonists of the game, exposing players to potential injuries, giving excessive stoppage time and undoing the hard work of our team.”

And further: “We will take legal action so that these referees no longer whistle in Bolivian football.”

The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) heard the request. Referee Julio Fernando Gutierrez and his five officials have since been suspended, the FBF announced. The investigations are therefore ongoing.