Flamengo wishes to file a formal complaint with Conmebol after the expulsion of Gonzalo Plata in the match against Racing, in the Libertadores semi-final. The information was released by journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira, on UOL News Esporte, on Canal UOL.
According to Mauro, the Rio club considers that there was an arbitration error, especially due to the non-use of VAR in the play that resulted in the player being given a red card. The red-black board is preparing an official representation to question the decision and request a review of the punishment.
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Can Plata play in the Libertadores final?
It is not yet known whether Flamengo would have a chance of winning the appeal against Gonzalo Plata’s expulsion, which would make him available for the decisive match of the competition. However, the red-and-black team bases its complaint on a recent precedent involving Gonzalo Plata himself.
In the quarter-finals of the tournament, against Estudiantes, the attacker had also been sent off in a contested manner, and Conmebol lifted the automatic suspension after analyzing the case.
🚨❌/ AT THE REQUEST of FLAMENGO, CONMEBOL WITHDRAWN the EXPULSION of GONZALO PLATA.
In yesterday’s game between Flamengo and Estudiantes for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, the referee, Andrés Rojas, sent off Gonzalo Plata for a second yellow card in a play that caused a lot of… pic.twitter.com/LDMKiyX2Ug
— Santiago Acevedo (@santiacevedo02) September 19, 2025
If the request is not accepted, however, Plata will comply with the determined suspension and will be left out of the decision.
Flamengo’s appeal should be made soon
According to journalist Mauro Cezar, Flamengo’s legal department is already working on drafting the document that will be sent to Conmebol in the coming days. The idea is to highlight the failure in the conduct of the arbitration and the lack of review by the VAR, which, in the club’s opinion, could have changed the outcome of the bid.
Internally, it is understood that the expulsion was unfair and disproportionate and it is believed that institutional pressure can have an effect, as happened previously.
Remember Plata’s expulsion against Racing
The confusion began 11 minutes into the second half, when Marcos Rojo, Racing’s defender, pulled Plata by the hair during a dispute. The attacker reacted by slapping his opponent. The linesman would have asked the main referee to be expelled, who did so.
Expelled Plata! What did you think, fan? pic.twitter.com/imoiNmPe3J
— ge (@geglobo) October 30, 2025
Conmebol released this Thursday (30) the VAR audio regarding the expulsion. During the check, video referee Juan Lara reported that the Flamengo player hit Rojo, highlighting that the move took place outside the reach of the main cameras.
Assistant Claudio Urrutia added, saying that the Racing athlete tried to lift Plata by his shirt and that, in response, the attacker “struck his opponent with his fist.”
Then, video assistant Edson Cisternas confirmed the version reported by Urrutia, while Juan Lara reinforced that there was a clear coup and that, even with few images available, the contact was enough to justify the direct expulsion.
Thus, main referee Piero Maza maintained the decision on the field, with the consequent expulsion of the Ecuadorian.
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