After a controversial match at the Gigante de Arroyito, Racing was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Apertura Tournament 2026. Reactions within the academic world were swift, and one of the main voices to speak out was none other than the club's president, Diego Milito.
Shortly after the match ended, the leader held a press conference without questions in which, in addition to congratulating the players and coaching staff, he directly criticized the refereeing and the overall context of the tournament. "We need to start speaking up. I knew when I got involved in this role that it would be difficult, that I would be looked at sideways because I come from football. I am a tired football guy like many people... It’s time to reflect, once again we feel robbed," he stated as an introduction.
He elaborated: "To end a match in the way it ended, not only sad but with the anger of saying ‘how long will this go on?’. Today has been a shameful match from every point of view and it hurts me." While he avoided mentioning specific names, the criticisms were directed at the performance of referee Darío Herrera, whose decisions, including two red cards (Maravilla Martínez for direct red and Di Cesare for double yellow) affected the course of the match in favor of the home team.
Milito's message, however, went beyond a specific match. In his first public criticism of the leadership of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), he left a phrase that set the tone for his stance: "Argentine football is broken, it can't go on like this. All of us, leaders, players, and fans, need to reflect."
Additionally, he invited his peers to get involved: "I am available to start rebuilding Argentine football once and for all." A call that not only exposes his anger but also opens a political front amid an increasingly tense atmosphere between clubs and the management of local football.
