REFEREE REFUSES TO SHAKE CHRISTIAN PULISIC’S HAND AFTER DEVASTATING USMNT LOSS: ‘AMATEUR HOUR’

In a match marred in controversy where the lone goal of the game appeared as if it should’ve been negated for offsides, USMNT captain Christian Pulisic was snubbed by an official shortly after Monday’s disappointing 1-0 loss to Uruguay that saw the Americans get eliminated from the Copa America on home soil.

Pulisic attempted to shake hands with head referee Kevin Ortega and his crew after the loss in Kansas City. The first official obliged, while Ortega did not move a muscle to reach for his hand.

“He wouldn’t shake my hand. It’s normal — I mean, I guess,” Pulisic said after the match, via ESPN, although he stopped short of blaming officiating for the loss.

“Honestly, I mean, I saw things that I’ve never seen before right in front of my eyes today that I just, I truly I can’t believe. It’s not why we lost; we’re not out of this tournament because of officiating.”

Christian Pulisic went up to shake the referees hands after the game, the referee declined…

Lots of controversy surrounding how the inexperienced ref called the game, and rightfully so. pic.twitter.com/acSqmiDnTG

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) July 2, 2024

As Pulisic reached to shake his hand and was quickly rebuffed, he pulled his hand back while getting closer to the head referee, saying something inaudible while pointing at him.

Ortega seemingly incorrectly declared a goal for Uruguay during the second half while making numerous mistakes that appeared to go against coach Gregg Berhalter’s group, and the call was surprisingly upheld after video review.

Team USA also lost to Panama in the group stage after a red card was assessed to forward Tim Weah, forcing them to play short-handed in the match with head referee Ivan Barton.

Honduras threatened legal action against Barton and FIFA for a poor 2023 showing in their match against Mexico, while the referee also issued seven red cards in the last four matches he worked involving Team USA.

Ortega seemed to have an equally poor showing Monday night.

USA midfielder Tyler Adams was assessed a yellow card in the first half despite clearly being the one who was fouled after a defender stepped on his ankle.

Defenseman Antonee Robinson called Ortega’s performance “amateur hour” after the game, according to The Athletic.

Ortega, 32, is one of the youngest referees in FIFA, and Monday marked arguably the biggest match of his career.

The referee also allowed a quick free kick while defenseman Chris Richards was being assessed a yellow card, which nearly led to a Uruguayan goal.

FS1 match commentators John Strong and Stu Holden, in particular, were critical of the officiating on the broadcast.

“This referee is showing shades of inexperience and ineptitude in this game,” fan account @TheGunnersD3n posted on X. “How can you give a free kick and a yellow card and allow the attacking team to take a quick free kick. This is shambolic and making a mockery of the entire tournament. It’s frustrating to witness.”

The seemingly one-sided mistakes, which infuriated members of Team USA who were seen screaming at Ortega throughout the match, have given some onlookers whiffs of corruption.

Ortega was embroiled in at least some controversy in 2022, according to news outlet Diario.

“In 2022, Ortega courted controversy in a Copa Libertadores match between Argentinians Boca Juniors and Bolivians Always Ready,” the outlet reported. “After he awarded Boca a soft winning penalty, Always Ready cried foul when it emerged that their opponents had gifted Ortega club shirts before the game.”

League director Jorge Bermúdez brushed the incident off as a “gesture of courtesy” but many fans have not forgotten the incident years later.

Now, at a much larger stage, Ortega led what some deemed an embarrassment effort for FIFA, which has had corruption allegations of its own as recently as 2015.

2024-07-02T13:48:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd