Referee Diego Ceballos, provisionally suspended last week after his errors in the Copa Argentina final, has been stripped of his international status, according to the Argentine FA. Ceballos, who officiated in Boca Juniors' 2-0 win over Rosario Central in the final of the knockout competition, wrongly awarded Boca a penalty kick for a foul committed outside the penalty area and allowed a goal that was scored from an offside position. "By decision of the (AFA) president, Mr. Luis Segura, Mr. Diego Ceballos has been withdrawn from the List of International Referees", the AFA said. "This measure will immediately be communicated to FIFA", it added in a statement on its website.
Last week, AFA president, Luis Segura, suspended referee Diego Ceballos and assistant referee Marcelo Aumente following questionable decisions in the Copa Argentina final between Boca Juniors and Rosario Central. Boca Juniors, who on Sunday won the Argentine league, beat Rosario Central 2-0 in the final. "The president of the Argentina Football Association, Mr. Luis Segura, has decided to put referee Mr. Diego Ceballos and the assistant referee Mr. Marcelo Aumente on leave for an undetermined amount of time", AFA said in a news release. Ceballos ruled three key decisions in favour of Boca Juniors, the first, a decision to disallow a Marco Ruben header for offside some 10 minutes before halftime. The goal would have given Rosario the lead. The second came seven minutes into the second half, when Boca right back Gino Peruzzi made a forward break, and was brought down by opposing left back Paulo Ferrari. The foul took place some distance outside the area. But Ceballos pointed to the spot, and Nico Lodeiro calmly slotted home the penalty. The third came in the final minute when Boca's Marcelo Meli cut through the left side of the Central defence and squared for substitute Andres Chavez to tap in, but Chavez was offside. His was missed by Aumente, the very same assistant who had spotted Central Larrondo offside by maybe an inch in the first half. AFA's decision marks the first time in league history that the federation has suspended a referee for a questionable call. The decision to put Ceballos on leave was announced after Ceballos made the trip from Cordoba to Buenos Aires for the Lanus match. Segura said the federation will review its protocol of assigning and evaluating referees.
Source: ESPN
