A few days before the match, questioned by a possible penalty not sanctioned at the end, the leader opted for a public signal: he shared on social networks a series of photos with Argentine referees who will participate in the 2026 World Cup, in a gesture that was interpreted as direct support for the refereeing team.
In the images, in which he appears together with Federico Beligoy (National Director of Arbitration) and Fernando Rapallini (Technical Arbitration Manager of AFA), the boss posed with the judges who will represent the country in the next World Cup: Facundo Tello, Darío Herrera and Yael Falcón Pérez. In addition, he was also with the rest of the assistant referees appointed for the World Cup event
. Tapia with the World Cup referees
"With the Argentine referees who will be present at the 2026 World Cup. Once again, congratulations and greatest success to Facundo Tello, Darío Herrera, Yael Falcón Pérez, Juan Pablo Belatti, Maximiliano Del Yesso, Cristian Navarro, Facundo Rodríguez, Gabriel Chade and Hernán Mastrangelo. Proud of all of you! “, wrote Tapia.
The publication came in a context of strong questioning after the play starring Lautaro Blanco and Lucas Martínez Quarta, which River claimed as a penalty andwhich wasnot reviewed by the VAR, led by Héctor Paletta, the main subject of the controversy. While criticism multiplied from different sectors of football, the gesture of the head of the AFA sought to reinforce trust in the Argentine refereeing body
