Former CONAR president Winston Reátegui has questioned a VAR decision following the release of audio from the Liga 1 match between Alianza Lima and Sport Boys. The controversy centers on a handball incident involving defender Hansell Riojas during the Torneo Clausura fixture.
Reátegui stated that multiple active match officials expressed surprise after reviewing the VAR audio recording. The VAR panel determined that hand contact by Riojas did not warrant a penalty kick, a decision Reátegui strongly disputed.
Speaking on the sports program Hablemos de Max on the L1 Max channel, the former referee chief said he consulted several active referees who agreed with his assessment. He noted that colleagues told him directly that the infraction should have resulted in a penalty kick.
Reátegui explained that match officials were caught off guard by the public release of the VAR audio. He added that the official explanation clearing the play ran counter to what referees expected to hear.
Technical analysis of the handball incident
Offering a technical breakdown of the play, Reátegui emphasized that there was clear contact between the defender's hand and the ball. He observed that the touch altered the trajectory of the ball, which under refereeing guidelines should constitute a handball penalty.
He noted that when asked about a specific action, he evaluates it strictly according to the rulebook and visual evidence. Reátegui said his eyes clearly saw Riojas commit a handball that deflected the ball.
The former official argued that upholding the controversial call created confusion and mistrust within the refereeing community. He suggested that admitting a mistake would have been more constructive than attempting to justify the decision.
Reátegui stated that the most transparent course of action would have been for authority figures to acknowledge the error publicly. He stressed that officials should have announced corrective measures to prevent similar mistakes in future matches.
Reactions from the Alianza Lima camp
The controversial VAR call occurred during a draw between Alianza Lima and Sport Boys. Following the match, Alianza Lima manager Pablo Guede described the contest as a tactical battle, though he acknowledged that his team did not perform up to standard.
The match also prompted comments from veteran Alianza Lima striker Paolo Guerrero. Addressing critics who questioned his role at the club, Guerrero urged supporters and officials to remove individuals who do not contribute positively to the team.
CONAR, the National Commission of Referees, oversees professional officiating across domestic competitions in Peru. Liga 1 is the nation's top football flight, featuring capital giants Alianza Lima and traditional Callao club Sport Boys competing in the second half of the season, known as the Torneo Clausura.
Upcoming Liga 1 Clausura matchday 5 fixtures
Matchday 5 of the 2026 Torneo Clausura begins on Friday, August 14, with Atlético Grau hosting Comerciantes Unidos. The opening fixture sets off a busy schedule of weekend action across the league.
Key encounters in the upcoming round include Alianza Lima taking on UTC, while FC Cajamarca faces Universitario. Elsewhere in the league, Cienciano will host Deportivo Garcilaso in another highlighted match of the fifth round.
