And Now, A Word From The Ref

Diego Abal, the referee who handled the clásico between Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central over the weekend, has come out and explained why he didn't halt the match when a knife was thrown onto the field near Newell's keeper Sebastián "El Flaco" Peratta from a section of Sinas. "Clearly a knife on the field is something abnormal, but had I decided to suspend everything it would have been like I was trying to make myself the figure of the match," Adal stated plainly, or as close as I can translate (once again, with a bit of help from Babelfish.)

While no one was harmed, it does go to prove that Central has a ways to go before they have their Barras Bravas under control, and that security at El Coloso may need to be tightened even further for such matches. Still, it's far less trouble than we could have expected had Lorente not become president at Newell's.

The sunglasses which Peratta wore for a brief moment were also thrown by Sinas, but that is hardly anything to complain about. If anything, it gave Sebastián a souvenir from the encounter.

Meanwhile, the officials for this weekend's matches have been announced, and the fact that once again Javier Collado has been drawn to handle a Newell's game is making me forget the displeasure of the tie with Central. Once again I have to ask, just who decides on the referee assignments?

Following is the full list of referees, once again the referees yet to call a Newell's match are in bold:
Rosario Central-Atlético Tucumán, Luis Alvarez.
Independiente-Huracán, Nestor Pittana.
Chacarita Juniors-Godoy Cruz, Carlos Maglio.
River Plate-Estudiantes de La Plata, Federico Beligoy.
San Lorenzo-Boca Juniors, Héctor Baldassi.
Tigre-Vélez Sarsfield, Pablo Lunati.
Banfield-Racing, Sergio Pezzotta.
Arsenal-Lanús, Mauro Giannini.
Colón-Newell's Old Boys, Javier Collado.
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)-Argentinos Juniors, Juan Pablo Pompei.

Even worst than having Collado again, the game against Colón has been scheduled for Monday, at a time slot when I'll be at work. Please, someone wake me up and tell me this is all just a nightmare, and that the clásico is only just about to start.