CONCACAF is looking into requests for a formal investigation into “officiating irregularities” made by the Panamanian and Costa Rican football federations following Panama’s 2-1 loss Wednesday to Mexico in the semifinals of the Gold Cup, the governing body announced in a statement Friday.
"CONCACAF has received the official requests from the Panamanian Football Federation and Costa Rican Football Federation and will review them carefully. The confederation takes these claims extremely seriously and will look into them immediately. As a first step toward addressing the request, this matter has been added to the agenda of tomorrow's CONCACAF Executive Committee meeting for discussion,” the statement read.
Pedro Chaluja, president of the Panamanian Football Federation, said Friday that he would request a formal investigation into the officiating of Wednesday’s controversial match that spiraled out of control following an 88th-minute penalty awarded to Mexico that allowed El Tri to tie the match at 1-1 before winning on another PK in extra time.
On Thursday, the federation called for the removal of CONCACAF’s entire referees committee.
The Costa Rican federation did the same in a statement Friday, announcing “a formal protest for bad refereeing during Costa Rica's Gold Cup matches, and previous tournaments.”
They have asked for the removal of the Referee Technical Commission, responsible for appointing referees for each match, and that CONMEBOL referees officiate upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
