25 years after the incident, Castrilli told why he did not answer Maradona after expelling him

06/16/2021 14:15

• Clarín.com

• sports

Updated 06/16/2021 2:15 PM

The scene is repeated over and over again in the archival programs and in the imaginary of the soccer fan in those nineties from dollar to 1 peso, renowned figures in all the teams and the television appearing on the fields as one more protagonist.

And among the iconic names of that time, Diego Maradona in Boca was the star of the moment, who sought to give his club a tournament that had been postponed.

In 1996, the stone in Xeneize's shoe was Carlos Bianchi's Vélez, who in Liniers gave him a 5-1 win full of controversial plays that ended in scandal: the referee was Javier Castrilli.

25 years later, the rigorous Sheriff spoke of the embarrassment that was experienced when the game was suspended, with incidents in the visiting gallery, players sent off and a disconcerted Maradona who asked the referee for explanations.

"He is not going to answer you, Armando ...", repeated Navarro Montoya, trying to contain Diego, who could not understand that the referee was ignoring his claims.

In the previous one, all laughs for Chilavert and Maradona.

In the middle Castrilli, unflappable.

This Wednesday a new anniversary of that day was celebrated, the first after Maradona's death.

And Castrilli recalled the incident on ESPN, a cycle that has him as a panelist on ESPN F12.

"One cannot remember it without feeling a hint of pain or anguish, it was not a pleasant moment for anyone, not even for the people of Vélez. It was an absolutely denatured game, with a lot of violence on the platform. And that we cannot say that it we had a good time ... ", clarified Castrilli before beginning his story, lamenting at the same time how quickly time passed.

"It seems like yesterday that happened," he commented.

They then asked him why he reacted with total silence to Maradona's claims and insults.

"Because Maradona knew he had been expelled," the Sheriff responded quickly.

Maradona's black night on the Vélez court: Castrilli took him a red card for inciting violence.

And he continued: "Maradona knew the reasons why I had expelled him. At 4 meters he made unequivocal signs pointing out to me, at the worst moment of the incidents, when the police were trying to stop people from entering the field. I took it. as an incitement to violence and I proceeded to get the red card from him. "

"When I get the red card, he turns and leaves. There was no other reading than that he knew the reasons. Never in my life have I sent off a player without knowing the reasons why he had sent him off." , ended up saying the referee, who retired in 1998 after directing at the

1998 World Cup in France

.

"Master, are you dead?"

Historical phrase of Diego face to face with Javier Castrilli in the Vélez court.

Today, 23 years from that day.

#Maradona #Boca #Velez pic.twitter.com/FCrsBQPHHI

- Barrio Tactico (@barriotactico) June 16, 2019

"I take that game as a witness to how important VAR is in football," Castrilli later commented, referring to a key play that started Boca's claims and triggered the nervousness of the team led by Carlos Bilardo, that when he was defeated he was relegated in the fight for the championship.

All Boca claimed a validated goal in favor of Vélez, which meant a 1-1 draw.

Navarro Montoya took a header from Beto Camps without it being clear if the ball crossed the line: the assistant referee ran to the middle of the court and Castrilli scored a goal.

From there, the nerves and the red cards that led to the suspension of the game due to the incidents in the tribune.

#YoMeQuedoEnCasa To see again!

Velez and Boca.

Maradona, Chilavert and Castrilli.

A Story to Review 👉 https://t.co/FkovMENzBU pic.twitter.com/J0zMOFQ0P2

- TyC Sports Play (@TyCSportsPlay) March 19, 2020

"If the VAR had existed, that party would not only have had a different development but also a different result, it would not have been denatured," said Castrilli.

And he added: "We would have needed the technology to do justice. Boca had been winning 1 to 0, with the best production in the Maradona and Caniggia era, on the field of a Vélez who had won everything." 

Finally, about his relationship with Maradona, he ended by saying: "I deeply admired Maradona,

and I never had the opportunity to cross paths with him again ...

".

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