Palmeiras Game Referee Injured During World Cup Playoff
Referee Facundo Tello left the World Cup playoff between Congo and Jamaica with a calf injury late in extra time. The incident occurred in Guadalajara, Mexico, and forced an Argentine official replacement. This development could affect his upcoming CONMEBOL appointment.
What happened in Guadalajara
Tello stopped the match five minutes into the second half of extra time. He reported pain in his left calf and tried quick on-field tests. Conceding he could not continue, he was visibly emotional and substituted.
Darío Herrera, another Argentine referee, replaced Tello for the remainder of the game. The substitute completed the fixture without further incident.
Possible impact on Palmeiras game
CONMEBOL had named Tello for the Libertadores match between Junior Barranquilla and Palmeiras. That game is scheduled for April 8 in Colombia at 21:30 Brasília time.
Because Tello was the referee, the Palmeiras game referee injured during World Cup playoff may need a late reassignment. The injury raises questions about the match-day referee roster.
Match details and group context
| Fixture | Junior Barranquilla vs Palmeiras |
| Date | April 8, 2026 |
| Kickoff (Brasília) | 21:30 |
| Competition | Copa Libertadores – Group F |
| Other teams in Group F | Cerro Porteño and Sporting Cristal |
Filmogaz.com will follow updates from CONMEBOL on any referee changes. Fans and clubs await an official announcement about Tello’s fitness and possible replacements.
