Argentine Football Association officials appointed Andrés Gariano to referee the Copa Argentina quarterfinal clash between Boca Juniors and Racing Club, set for September 27, 2026, at the Gigante de Arroyito in Rosario.
Referee Assignment and Historical Precedents for Boca and Racing
The Argentine Football Association confirmed the refereeing crew for the knockout fixture, assigning Andrés Gariano as the principal judge for the high-stakes encounter in Rosario. According to Clarin, TyC Sports, and Ambito, the 40-year-old barilochense was accompanied on the field by assistants Facundo Rodríguez and Sebastián Raineri, with Sebastián Martínez serving as the fourth official. Technology duties fell to Lucas Novelli in the video assistant referee booth, supported by Diego Romero as AVAR, as noted by Clarin, TyC Sports, and El Liberal.
Gariano entered the match carrying a notably brief history with both institutions. His single prior assignment involving Boca Juniors was an April 2026 fixture resulting in a 4-0 victory over Defensa y Justicia in the Torneo Apertura, where ole.com.ar noted an 8th-minute disallowed header from Juan Gutiérrez following a tight VAR offside check by Silvio Trucco. Racing Club faced him twice previously: a 3-1 defeat against Central Córdoba in Santiago del Estero during December 2024, followed by a 1-0 win against San Martín de Formosa earlier in the current Copa Argentina tournament.
Recent Controversies and Heated Fallout Across Domestic Fixtures
Following River Plate’s victory over Atlético Tucumán, opposing manager Julio César Falcioni erupted over a challenge by Mauro Arambarri on Alexis Canelo that drew only a yellow card, leading to Falcioni’s ejection from the field after he stormed the pitch to demand a red card, as detailed by Clarin and ole.com.ar.
Atlético Tucumán manager Julio César Falcioni told Clarin, They make certain decisions for one color and not for others. When they screw me over, I realize it immediately.
Further friction followed an earlier match against Tigre, where River Plate defender Nicolás Otamendi publicly criticized the officiating standards after appeals for a penalty involving Ángel Correa went ignored.
River Plate captain Nicolás Otamendi told Clarin, he isn't up to officiating the competition.
Confronted with the heavy wave of media criticism surrounding his selection, the referee mounted a direct defense of his credentials in the hours leading up to the clash at the Gigante de Arroyito.
That is all media-driven, everyone has their opinion and it must be respected. If I am in this match, it's for a reason—because I earned it. According
On-Field Actions and Subsequent Semifinal Pathways
When the whistle blew on Sunday afternoon, the encounter unfolded largely without the catastrophic officiating errors feared by critics. While Racing players protested a perceived push by Enner Valencia against Marcos Rojo during the buildup to an equalizing goal, the VAR team did not summon the referee to review the sequence, and the match concluded with Boca advancing through a standout performance by Valencia, who netted a memorable hat-trick as reported by El Liberal.
The tournament bracket positions the victorious Xeneize side into a semifinal matchup against Banfield, while the opposite side of the tournament bracket features Atlético Tucumán awaiting the survivor of the fixture between Platense and Estudiantes, according to El Liberal.