Marcelo Paz, Corinthians’ football director, has analyzed the refereeing rationale behind São Paulo midfielder Bobadilla not being sent off for a controversial gesture during the team’s 3-2 victory on Sunday at Neo Química Arena. The executive compared the situation to similar actions by Corinthians players, which resulted in suspensions beyond red cards in their respective matches.
Speaking in a press conference, Paz stated that “either it’s allowed, or the referee made a mistake” by not expelling the São Paulo player. He also emphasized that he will raise the issue at the upcoming meeting with the refereeing commission.
“Overall, Anderson Daronco’s officiating wasn’t bad today, but we cannot overlook this specific incident because we have recently been punished twice. Either it’s allowed, or the referee made a mistake—there’s no middle ground. Tomorrow at the meeting, either the refereeing commission admits an error, or the action is considered permissible,” Paz said after Corinthians’ 3-2 win.
The director argued that Daronco’s justification—that Bobadilla did not touch his genitals—should not define whether a gesture is obscene. He pointed out that in other settings, the same act would be deemed offensive regardless.
“Everyone knows Corinthians was punished with two games and two players in different matches for obscene gestures. The justification was that there was no contact with the genital area. I believe that’s not the defining characteristic of an obscene gesture. Imagine that same gesture in a public square or a restaurant—it would be offensive to people there. If it’s unacceptable outside football, it should be unacceptable inside football as well.”
Both Allan and André, Corinthians’ midfielders, received red cards and two-game bans for making obscene gestures. The first incident occurred in Corinthians’ 3-1 loss to Fluminense, while the second happened in the goalless derby draw against Palmeiras.