If anyone was wondering why Enrique Osses, one of the best referees in South America, was not appointed to either Copa America Centenario or the Olympic Football Tournament, here is the answer. He retired early from active refereeing to become the new chairman of the Chilean Referees Committee. Osses, 42, refereed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was pre-selected by FIFA for the next World Cup in Russia.
Strong personality, distant with players and coaches, he managed to stand out. 2012 was the year that marked his career. He was chosen by CONMEBOL as the best referee of South America and was appointed to both continental finals: Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Before, he had refereed at the South American U-20 Championships 2007 and 2009. At national teams’ level, the highlight of his career was being selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Osses refereed two matches: Japan - Ivory Coast in Group C and Costa Rica - Italy in group D. In addition, he was fourth official at the match Iran - Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, his most important match was the semi-final of the Confederations Cup 2013 between Brazil and Uruguay (2-1).
In 2005, Osses sent off 21 players in 16 league games. During a 2005 match that faced San Felipe against Union Espanola, the latter's goalkeeper Ignacio Gonzalez received his second yellow card and consequently a red card. Upset by this, Gonzalez brought Osses to the ground after hitting him in the face. Afterwards, the player was held in police custody for two hours. He was banned for 22 matches, which he did not serve because he left the team, to play in Argentina. Two years later, he had to suspend the derby between Universidad de Chile and Colo Colo after 67 minutes due to major incidents. The following year, a match between Colo Colo and UC ended with four UC players sent-off. Colo Colo won 3-1 and Fernando Carvallo, the UC coach, demanded sanctions for Osses. At the end of the Apertura 2011, he refereed again the UC players, but his most controversial situation occurred in the following year, between U and O'Higgins, when Osses awarded a penalty kick against Guillermo Marino. After that match, Osses was declared persona non grata in Rancagua and, even today, is being accused by rival fans that he favoured the university team. In 2013, Nacional of Uruguay and Barcelona of Ecuador met for the Copa Libertadores. Osses did not send off Uruguayan Alejandro Lembo, who had been booked twice. He only did it four minutes later, when he was warned by his assistant. Finally, in the 2015 Copa America, he achieved notoriety by sending off Brazilian Neymar and Colombian Bacca. The star of Barcelona received a four-game suspension and did not play again in the tournament.
Enrique Osses replaced Pablo Pozo, another former World Cup (2010) referee, who led the Referees Committee in Chile for the last 4 years. “I am happy to have been chairing the commission for so long. It was a very friendly way out. They chose a trustworthy person. I have a friendship with Enrique (Osses) and I had already talked to him. I can only wish him the best of luck”, said Pozo. Osses will decide whether he will continue with Patricio Basualto and Guido Aros or nominates other contributors.
Source: La Tercera
