River Plate President Criticizes Officiating and Team Performance After Superclásico

River Plate president Stéfano Di Carlo publicly addressed the club's recent performance in the Superclásico against Boca Juniors, describing the team's display as unacceptable. Following the match at La Bombonera, Di Carlo admitted that the team failed to register a single shot on goal, a statistic he labeled as indefensible and not representative of the club's identity.

The club leadership has taken formal action regarding the officiating during the match. Di Carlo confirmed that River Plate submitted an official request to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) demanding that referee Nicolás Ramírez no longer be assigned to officiate their matches. The president described the officiating as disastrous, alleging that the referee intentionally sought to complicate the game.

Beyond the specific complaints about Ramírez, Di Carlo argued that there is a systemic issue within Argentine football officiating. He suggested that errors often appear to favor specific outcomes, creating an environment that discourages other club leaders from speaking out. According to Di Carlo, the current state of officiating serves as a tool to discipline club executives who might otherwise challenge the status quo.

Despite his harsh critique of the match, the president maintained his support for interim manager Leonardo Ponzio. Di Carlo explained that Ponzio was chosen for his deep understanding of the club and his strong connection with the players. The current plan is for Ponzio to remain in his role until the end of the football season, at which point the board will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of his tenure.

Addressing concerns regarding the club's recent financial investments, Di Carlo defended the $70 million spent on new signings during the last transfer window. He emphasized that these acquisitions were intended to build a foundation for the next three years rather than provide immediate, short-term results. The president noted that the squad has undergone significant changes, with nine new players joining and seventeen departing, and requested patience from fans as the team works to integrate these new members.

Di Carlo acknowledged that the current year has been challenging in terms of results, characterizing the performance as a catastrophe. However, he insisted that the club is in the midst of a necessary, albeit slow, restructuring process. He expressed confidence that the team will improve as they continue to work together and move past the accumulated issues from previous seasons.

Looking ahead, the president stressed that the primary focus for the remainder of the season is to remain united and compete for the current championship. He urged the players and staff to ignore external distractions, including the ongoing tensions with the AFA, and to focus on their performance on the pitch. Di Carlo concluded by stating that the club's history is defined by its ability to overcome adversity and that he remains committed to restoring the team to its competitive standards.