ALFREDO MORELOS declared he was ‘very smart’ regarding a controversial incident.
However, said incident has ended up landing him in very hot water.
Rangers hero Morelos, 29, is back in his native Colombia playing for Atletico Nacional these days.
After initial struggles following his Ibrox exit in May 2023, he’s rediscovered form this season with 15 goals in all competitions.
Having helped fire Nacional to league and cup glory last year, Morelos has found a prolific streak with the club in the hunt to enjoy more success this time around.
But as was the case during his time at Ibrox, the enigmatic striker is never too far away from some controversy!
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And the latest Morelos drama has seen the former Ibrox ace banned AND hit in the pocket.
That’s despite the fact he declared he was “very smart” in the immediate aftermath of the controversy.
It all centres around Atletico Nacional’s clash with Boyaca Chico back on 6 October.
Nacional looked like they were heading for a surprise defeat before late, late drama.
Morelos went down in the box and initially the referee was unmoved.
However, VAR intervened and the referee subsequently changed his mind and pointed to the spot.
Morelos himself stepped up to fire an 97th minute equaliser from the penalty.
Asked about the incident after the game, Morelos said: “I feel the contact and I throw myself down. I’m very smart in that type of play and I thank God the penalty was given.”
And it seems as though the Colombian football authorities have looked down rather badly on those words.
Morelos has been hit with a two-match ban and fined 85 MILLION Colombian pesos.
That sum isn’t quite as hefty when converted but still sees Morelos out of pocket for more than £16,000.
The charge sheet says: “It is concluded that the player Alfredo José Morelos Avilez acted with the intention of causing an incorrect decision by a match official or contributing to an error of judgment and consequently making him adopt an incorrect decision.”
Atletico Nacional have the right to appeal the punishment and they may very well choose to do so.
They could have a case too given that both the on-field referee and VAR in the end decided it warranted a penalty.
But the communication between the VAR and the assistant VAR show a split opinion in the booth.
AVAR Jorge Guzman said:”When he feels the contact he throws himself, I don’t see that it prevents the movement to continue with the ball.”
But the lead VAR Nicolas Gallo saw it differently and said of the defender: “The one in blue never goes for the ball.”
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Gallo then brought referee Jairo Mayorga to the pitchside monitor and after review he awarded the crucial penalty.
Morelos is now set to miss Nacional’s next two matches, Saturday’s clash with Deportivo Pasto before a huge encounter with rivals Medellin the following week.
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