Vidal Slams Referee After Red Card: "He's Not Ready For Colo Colo Games"

Arturo Vidal voiced strong criticism after his red card in Colo Colo’s defeat against Audax Italiano, calling referee Fernando Vejar unfit to officiate matches involving the Santiago giants.

“The sending-off was crazy… if a referee doesn’t have the temperament for a Colo Colo game, he shouldn’t be in charge,” said the midfielder during a press briefing at the Bicentenario Stadium in La Florida. “He belongs in second or third division if he can’t handle a player. That yellow card was absurd.”

Vidal explained that the tension with Vejar started when he pointed out inconsistent decisions: “I told him he hesitated too long before disallowing our first goal, but then rushed the call on this one. I asked him to check again and he just showed me two yellows.”

The veteran midfielder insisted he never lost control: “I didn’t say anything disrespectful. I reminded him I’m the captain — the only one allowed to speak. I’ve had good referees in Chile, but this one isn’t ready for games like Colo Colo or Universidad Católica.”

Regarding the match itself, Vidal admitted bad luck: “Two chances for them, two goals. We couldn’t finish ours and played against a team that’s been doing well.” Despite the loss, he remained optimistic: “We’re improving game by game.”

Vidal will miss the postponed clash against Universidad Católica due to suspension but hopes to return for the Superclásico against Universidad de Chile.