The treasurer of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Pablo Toviggino, responded to the criticisms of River's head coach, Marcelo Gallardo, regarding the refereeing in the Professional League. After the match in which River defeated Barracas Central 3-0, Gallardo expressed his opinion that referees should contribute to speeding up the game to make it more entertaining and to prevent Argentine football from getting worse.
In his response, Toviggino detailed that in the mentioned match, 47 minutes and 7 seconds of net time were played, comparing it to the previous Superclasico which had 14 seconds less of effective play. Additionally, the AFA treasurer questioned Gallardo's statements about the lack of added time in very interrupted matches, arguing that the necessary minutes must be given to ensure a fluid game.
Toviggino's reaction on social media included a message urging Gallardo to reflect on the interruptions in matches and to contribute to improving the situation instead of criticizing. The controversy between the two generated an exchange of public statements reflecting the ongoing debate around refereeing and the quality of Argentine football.
Amid these discrepancies, Toviggino defended the work of the AFA for Argentine football, highlighting the institution's commitment to promoting improvements in the sport. His response to Gallardo's criticisms reflects the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue among football stakeholders, always seeking the benefit of the game and the fans.
