The Clásico Capitalino match between Pumas UNAM and Club América on February 22, 2025, spiraled dramatically due to controversial officiation, leading to the expulsion of Piero Quispe and the subsequent ejections of the Pumas’ coaching staff.
Quispe found himself at the center of the storm when the referee, Fernando Hernández, issued him a red card right before halftime following what many deemed to be a questionable decision. The incident unfolded as Quispe challenged Erick Sánchez for the ball by delivering a tackle from behind. According to reports, Sánchez had possession near the sideline when Quispe's tackle caused him to fall to the ground.
Fans and analysts alike were left reeling as the match reached its boiling point. Right after Quispe’s ejection, Pumas’ head coach Gustavo Lema stormed the field, vocally protesting the decision, which only made matters worse for his team. Within moments, both Lema and his son, Matías Lema, who served as his assistant coach, were shown the red card for their unyielding challenges to the referee’s authority.
Following the expulsion of Quispe, the Pumas bench erupted, with Lema demanding to have the play reviewed through VAR, but his requests fell on deaf ears as Hernández did not opt to consult the video review.
Critics quickly zeroed in on the absurdity of the situation. Former referee Felipe Ramos Rizo took to social media to outline his indignation, stating, “Very exaggerated compared to the previous ones; those which are red cards he calls yellow. This is not red. The foul classification is low.” Rizo’s sentiments were echoed by many who questioned the standards applied earlier during the match.
Prior to Quispe’s contentious red card, several key moments defined the game’s tense atmosphere. Just 15 minutes earlier, Álvaro Fidalgo of América had been involved in a physical scuffle with Adalberto Carrasquilla, but the referee deemed it not worthy of the same punishment Quispe faced. Rizo highlighted, “Carrasquilla had to be sent off,” illustrating the inconsistency perceived by many.
While Quispe's red card undoubtedly altered the course of the match, it was compounded by the Pumas’ overall predicament, having already fallen behind 1-0 due to Israel Reyes' goal. With the onset of the second half, Pumas found themselves even more vulnerable, conceding another goal just three minutes after play resumed, leaving them trailing 2-0.
The environment was charged with emotion, and Lema’s reaction highlighted not just his desire to defend his player but to question the integrity of the officiation throughout the match. His relentless protests did not go unnoticed but pushed the limits of sportsmanship and officiation standards.
Throughout the evening, the Pumas fans erupted with vocal disapproval of the officiation, believing their team was unfairly treated, especially following the sequence of events leading to the red cards. The expulsion of Quispe and his coach added a layer of despair to their existing frustrations.
The impactful moment of Quispe's tackle had evident ramifications not just for him and Lema, but for the entire Pumas team, which would have to face the rest of the match with diminished capability and morale. The Pumas ended the first half not only with ten men but also trailing the scoreboard—a significant setback.
Post-match, the spotlight shifted to how such officiation could shape the league's dynamics. The interplay between player safety and stringent refereeing is often debated, but cases like Quispe's add fuel to the fire of those seeking reform. Critics argue for greater clarifications on referees' decisions, especially leading to potential game-changing expulsions, which massively impact the flow of the game.
The Clásico Capitalino ended with Pumas left searching for answers as they faced questions surrounding their conduct on the field and the nature of officiation within high-stakes games.