By R. Alexander Núñez
An action recorded in the second half of the match between America and Pumas ignited the controversy and will lead to a formal process before the MX League. The board of directors of the University Club will present a complaint to the Disciplinary Commission this Monday for what they consider a possible improper alignment of the azulcrema team in the first leg of the Clausura 2026 Quarterfinals, which ended 3-3.
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The play in question occurred in the 62nd minute, in the middle of a sequence of changes by América. Sebastian Caceres He received medical attention after a clash of heads with Álvaro Angulo, while the team was preparing three simultaneous substitutions. At that moment, the fourth referee marked on the board the departure of Miguel Vázquez to make way for Thiago Espinosa.
Incredible that none of the 3 referees “attentive” to the changes have not noticed that Miguel Vázquez did completely leave the field at the time his change was announced by the native sound. The Shocker returns to the field due to the push of the Technical Assistant; but his feet… pic.twitter.com/MVKP3KpI7M
— Víctor Díaz (@v_ddiaz) Might perchance well simply 4, 2026
However, the situation changed immediately. Upon realizing that Cáceres had to leave the field due to a concussion and a facial fracture, members of the América coaching staff reversed the substitution, returning Vázquez to the field of play so that the change could be made with the Uruguayan defender.
According to the Pumas versionthere are audiovisual records in which it is observed that Vázquez would have completely left the field before returninga point that supports the complaint that will be presented to the tournament authorities.
Conflicting positions and possible disciplinary impact
From the American side, the interpretation is different. Club spokespersons indicated that the central referee, Luis Enrique Santander, authorized the change under the concussion protocol, according to ESPN. In this context, they indicated that any inconsistency would correspond to the officials in charge of managing substitutions on the bench.
The official party minutes support this position.since it records the entry of Thiago Nahuel Espinosa for Sebastián Cáceres, without reference to the departure of Vázquez. This difference between what is documented and what is shown in the videos will be one of the key points in the disciplinary review.
The competition regulations establish that, in cases of concussion, teams can make an additional substitution, as long as it is medically validated. It also points out that a player who has left the field cannot re-enter, since that would set up an improper alignment.
If the violation is proven, Article 52 of the Sanctions Regulations indicates that the team involved would lose the right to continue in the final phase.
In the event of an adverse resolution, América could appeal to the Appeals Commission of the Mexican Soccer Federation, the body in charge of issuing a final ruling.
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