Javier Castrilli

Discussion in 'Argentina' started by Century's Best, Jun 9, 2010.

  1. Century's Best

    Century's Best Member+

    Jul 29, 2003
    USA
    This week, while I perused Brazilian sports news as I do daily w/ the World Cup around the corner, I found a short interview of Javier Castrilli conducted by Mílton Neves, a sports journalist well-known in my country. He refers to a controversial penalty call in a 1998 São Paulo State Tournament between Portuguesa and Corinthians.

    For you Argentines who are likely unfamiliar with this incident, Castrilli awarded Corinthians a very dubious penalty very late in the match. I saw this match live on TV in Brazil and completely disagreed with the call. In fact, the controversy also involved the length of the match; Castrilli ended the game at the 50th or 51st minute.

    You can see the controversial call here.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgYDvlY-H1M&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Corinthians 2 x 2 Portuguesa - Paulistão 1998[/ame]

    This had some repercussions because Castrilli had to be escorted out of the pitch w/ a heavy police presence; Portuguesa players and staff tried to assault him. It was a particularly painful result because the draw gave Corinthians passage to the Tournament's final; Portuguesa was in the middle of a title drought and desperately wanted to compete for the São Paulo State title.

    In this interview, Castrilli calmly claims he made the right call, which I disagree with.

    Castrilli refereed in France 98; he then retired and subsequently took a position with your league's department of sports events security.

    Looking at some other Youtube videos, including one where he red-carded Diego Maradona in 1996, Castrilli seems to evoke two main reactions. One, that he was a tough and courageous arbiter who showed no favoritism, who was never intimidated by players or fans, and who imposed the laws of the game ruthlessly. Two, that he was a terrible referee with an overblown ego who made many refereeing errors and whose departure from the ranks of refereeing was a benefit to your league.

    What's your take on him? Why exactly was he so contested and controversial? Wikipedia says he refereed for 18 years, which means he was around when Maradona and his peers barely debuted, and this means that virtually all key Argentine footballers of the 1980s and 1990s faced his refereeing (including of course those who eventually played in UEFA). I would imagine that an arbiter of such tenure would probably pick up some enemies - and admirers - along the way.
     
  2. Albiceleste2010

    Albiceleste2010 Member+

    Watford
    Argentina
    Jun 5, 2010
    Watford
    Club:
    Watford FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    I remember seeing a video on him as well related to the degree of violence faced by officials in the Argentine league which had led to more and more protection from police within the ground.

    He was refereeing in a very tough environment but he did say as you would expect him too , that he showed no favours to any side

    Of course fans in fierce local rivalries would say if he gave a decision against them that he was biased.

    He did a pretty decent job though that decision in the video does look poor.
     
  3. Andrés_

    Andrés_ Member

    Nov 16, 2007
    Argentina.
    Club:
    CA Independiente
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Though he was heavily criticized for often trying to take the spolight in the matches he officiated.
     
  4. la saeta rubia

    Aug 1, 2010
    Argentina/España
    Club:
    CA River Plate
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    The sheriff was always controversial but was brave and gave real protection to the inventive players not like some of those we have today
     

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