Alan Pulido's return to Chivas has been anything but dull, especially after his latest controversial goal against Pachuca. The Liga MX match took place on February 22, 2025, at Estadio Akron, where tensions between referees and the Chivas team reached new heights following previous contentious decisions. Pulido's goal not only marked his second since his return but also triggered yet another debate concerning the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
The game kicked off with Pachuca seizing the lead just seven minutes in, thanks to Alfonso González's well-placed shot. Chivas quickly rallied back, demonstrating their offensive prowess, but it was Pulido's goal moments later, at the 20-minute mark, which stirred the most controversy. After Mateo Chávez's initial play, the ball deflected off González, putting Pulido in the thick of the action.
Initially, the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, but after consulting the VAR, the goal was eventually confirmed, sparking outrage among Pachuca players and supporters. "After the review, it was deemed valid, as the touch by González, albeit accidental, cleared Pulido," stated ex-referee Felipe Ramos Rizo, highlighting the complexity of the incident.
This goal became particularly significant as it was Pulido's second after returning to Chivas. Discussions on whether Pulido was offside lingered, as replays showed he initially was positioned beyond the last defender before the ball was deflected, removing the offside condition.
The atmosphere at Estadio Akron was electric, even before Pulido's goal. Following the setback, Chivas intensified their attack, showcasing the determination to secure the points. The fans rallied behind the players, voicing their support. "¡GRÍTALO, ROJIBLANCOOOOOO! “, exclaimed the official Chivas Twitter account as Pulido scored, amplifying the excitement among their faithful followers.
Pulido's goal made the score 1-1, shifting the momentum back to Chivas. Just minutes later, Luis Romo capitalized on the ensuing offensive pressure to push Chivas ahead 2-1, concluding the first half on a triumphant note. Reports indicated the Chivas players were adamant about the goal's validity, even more so after their previous experiences with VAR decisions.
It’s important to note the backdrop of this situation – only days before, Pulido had experienced the agony of having another goal disallowed against Toluca due to alleged offside by mere centimeters. That experience fueled frustration among Chivas officials, culminating in requests for meetings with the Arbitration Commission to discuss VAR protocols. Amidst this broader scrutiny, the latest disputed goal against Pachuca reignited calls for clearer VAR guidelines.
The FIFA Commission of Referees has previously acknowledged the sensitive nature of VAR decisions, and after the Toluca match, Chivas demanded access to the original VAR recordings due to confusion around the offside call. With the latest play involving Pulido also cloaked in controversy, the club's management expressed deep concerns about the fairness and consistency of officiated matches.
With respect to technology's role, the efficacy of VAR should ideally function to support fair outcomes, but the contentious nature of these calls suggests there's still much to be refined. The feedback from analysts and ex-referees like Felipe Ramos makes it clear: controversy surrounding officiated decisions can overshadow the excitement of gameplay.
Chivas's conflict with officiates isn't merely about one goal; it’s emblematic of what teams face when technology becomes integral to the sport. Even with the growing acceptance of technology in sports, incidents like these raise pertinent questions about interpretation and application.
Moving forward, Chivas seeks to assert their position within the league, highlighting their significant roster changes and Pulido's resurgence as key elements for this season. With their recent performances, Chivas aims to convert this momentum from the Pachuca game to seek higher placement within the Liga MX standings.
It’ll be interesting to see how both the club and the league respond to the uproar. The voices from both sides must unite to clarify the usage of VAR and how its decisions impact the sporting narrative. The planning for the upcoming meetings with the Arbitration Commission may shape how officiated games evolve, leading to fewer similar controversies and ensuring players can focus on what they do best: playing football.
The Kaplan's next fixture promises to be high-stakes as Chivas seeks to capitalize on their newly secured points and aim for consistency within the league, hoping to safeguard Pulido’s goals from the prying eyes of VAR, maximizing their potential for the current season.