Mexican referee Katia Itzel García found herself at the center of a controversy following the match between UNAM Pumas and Mazatlán FC in the 14th round of the Clausura 2026. The most contentious moment occurred right at the end of the first half, when the referee blew the whistle for halftime during a promising attacking play for the visiting Mazatlán team. This decision sparked outrage from the Mazatlán players, who immediately confronted the central referee, believing she had denied them a clear scoring opportunity. The dispute quickly escalated to social media, where fans, analysts, and former referees questioned her judgment, even suggesting a supposed bias in favor of the university team. Amidst the media frenzy, the referee broke her silence through her digital platforms, addressing her detractors directly. Without delving into specific controversies, she made her stance clear, asking her critics to focus on their own lives and assuring them that she is calm and firm in her career. «The person who says that has the full ethical backing to express it, and not just her, but several others heard it,» she said. It is worth noting that despite the controversy, the referee's international prospects remain intact. She is part of the group representing Mexico at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which underscores her professional trajectory in refereeing. In fact, she will be the first female referee to officiate as a central referee in a men's World Cup, having been selected alongside César Arturo Ramos. «They speak without knowing me. I didn't find out until I opened social media. No matter how much it costs them,» she added.
