Concacaf has sanctioned Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava for requesting an autograph from Lionel Messi during a Concacaf Champions League match between Kansas City and Inter Miami. The organization deemed that the referee violated the rules of the Code of Conduct and opted to impose a exemplary sanction due to his inappropriate behavior.
"After an investigation, Concacaf discovered that the referee approached the player to ask for an autograph for a relative with special needs," stated the official announcement. Despite the good intention behind the gesture, the organization determined that Ortiz Nava's actions were not in line with the Confederation's Code of Conduct for game officials and the procedures that should be followed in such situations.
The referee, nicknamed 'Gato', admitted his mistake and apologized to Concacaf, in addition to accepting the imposed sanction, the specific details of which have not been disclosed. Ortiz Nava is expected to be sidelined from his officiating duties in the coming weeks, and there is speculation about the possibility of receiving a monetary fine, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by Concacaf.
