Ecuador: President calls for the death penalty for a referee

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa, stated that the referee in the match between Uruguay and Ecuador had to be “slaughtered”, believing that he is guilty of his country being out from South Africa 2010 World Cup.

“You know, I’m against the death penalty, but the fereree of the Uruguay-Ecuado match, yes that one must be slain … just kidding,” Correa said during his weekly report broadcast today from the presidential palace.

Correa said that Ecuador was “stolen” the match eight days ago, in the qualifying rounds, lost 1-2 at home, according to coach Sixto Vizuete, it meant losing any remeining chances to enter the 2010 World Cup.

The local sports press criticized the performance of Fagundes (the referee) and the Ecuadorian Football Federation filed a formal complaint to FIFA since, among the contentious facts, citing an alleged penalty from Uruguayan defender Sebastian Eguren in the area to stop the ball with his hand.

The Uruguay team won by 1-2 when playing the third minute of additional time, from a penalty kick executed by striker Diego Forlan.