:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/D7CYPKF25RAZ7FYAZXWRK5J4XA.jpg "Profile of Mario Escobar, Peru's referee against Canada makes his Copa America debut: hot-headed, “overwhelming”, he angered Cristiano Ronaldo and challenged DT with his fists")
THE Peruvian team will face his second match in the Copa America 2024 after the goalless draw against Pepper at his debut. This time he will play against his equal Canada today Tuesday, June 25 at 5:00 p.m. Peru time at Sporting Park, located in Kansas City, United States.
For this commitment, the Conmebol appointed Guatemalan arbitrator Mario Escobarwho will be accompanied by his compatriots Luis Ventura (first assistant) and Humberto Panjoj (second assistant). The Ecuadorians Augusto Aragon And Ricardo Baren They will complete the shortlist.
As for the video referee room (VAR), the Venezuelan will find himself Juan Soto and the Bolivian Gary VargasThese professionals will be responsible for correcting mistakes on the field and will be supported by the Brazilians. Regildenia Moura And Gregory Barkey.
In this sense, Infobae Peru contacted Miguel Sciméformer Argentine referee and FIFA advisor, to learn more about Chief Justice Escobar. The current director of Institute of Football Referees (IAF) He gave details about his career and his refereeing style.
Mario Escobar comes from a family of referees. His father, who bears the same name, and his uncle were also members of CONCACAF. His debut took place in the league of his country, Guatemala, until In 2013, he obtained the FIFA badgeThis allows him to take the international step.
At 37 years old, the Guatemalan has managed a total of 330 matches. He has participated in different tournaments such as Champions of the Conca, Golden Cup, CONCACAF Qualifications, Under-17 World Cup, Olympic Games and even the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Yes indeed, He didn't whistle any Copa America matchSo Peru vs. Canada will mean his debut.
Regarding his refereeing style, Miguel Scime described him as a capricious judge who tries to “direct depending on your physical presence and not because of their technical decisions. Something that could work against you when making a decision in both areas.
“Escobar is known for being a judge, with an overwhelming temperament, he tries to direct the matches based on his physical presence (1.80), characteristics that have led him to have conflicts in matches where he has had to communicate technically and disciplinary, assuming friction with the players due to their treatment and manners, does not stand out in the decision-making process and especially when the match has a genesis of constant friction as a matrix in its development,” detailed Scime.
The deficit in question makes it a “VAR dependent refereereason for the men to have a constant concentration meeting. That is, video refereeing could intervene on different occasions during the clash between Peruvians and Canadians played at Sporting Park.
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In his long resume, Mario Escobar has had the opportunity to officiate major international matches. On October 6, 2023, he was the head judge of Al Nassr vs. Abha for the Saudi Professional League and met a historical figure, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese do not have the best memories of the CONCACAF referee. And his actions have caused The former Real Madrid player gets so angry that he confronts him in the middle of the field of play. He was awarded a penalty against him and did not commit a foul in his team's area.
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Escobar's temperament also led him to play in an unusual scene in his country's championship. In the comparison between Municipal CSD And Xelaju MCwhich was held in February 2022, the judge blew the final whistle and ran towards the west stand of the stadium.
Once he arrived at the place, he signaled to a member of the technical command of Xelajú, as inviting him to come down and go to the hands. His teammates had to calm him down, to the surprise of all the players.
The Peruvians and Canadians hope that Mario Escobar's weaknesses, such as his character and the constant use of VAR, will not influence the field of play and that good football will prevail in the duel valid for date 2 of Group A of the Copa América 2024.
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