More refereeing controversy: Vinicius not awarded penalty kick

Another Copa America refereeing controversy has CONMEBOL to answer for, as they admitted that a penalty should have been called on Vinicius in Brazil's match against Colombia. The call came in the 42nd minute, when the 'Canarinha' were leading 1-0 at the close of Group D play.

Daniel Munoz cut out a Vinicius challenge inside the box, but Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela saw no infringement and ordered play to continue.

CONMEBOL analysed the incident and described it as follows: "In a challenge for the ball inside the penalty area, a defender does not touch the ball and, as a result of the challenge, reckless contact is made for the action. The referee fails to observe the action and allows play to continue."

The entity pointed out that the technology, in a protocol manner, went on to analyse the play "with different angles, speeds and considerations, and fails to identify that the defender does not touch the ball before recklessly contacting the Brazilian forward".

"In view of this, the VAR incorrectly confirms the original on-field decision," admitted the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). The decision was harshly criticised by Brazil coach Dorival Junior at the end of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, as shortly after Vini's penalty, Daniel Munoz himself restored parity.

"The referee was decisive. Inside the stadium, only he and the VAR did not see the penalty, which certainly existed. Brazil were badly penalised," criticised the coach. In his opinion, that penalty could have changed the course of the match, as the 'Canarinha' would have had the chance to make it 2-0 and win on the counter-attack.