Mexican referee Katia Itzel García has sparked a debate in Mexican football by publicly responding to coach Sergio Bueno's comments following the match between Pumas and Mazatlán.
In an interview with Aristegui Noticias, the referee clarified the situation, explaining in detail the reason for the coach's ejection. Katia Itzel García pointed out that the regulation is clear: no coach can approach the referee's crew at halftime or after the match to protest decisions, and if they do, they are sanctioned with a red card. In this sense, she assured that she tried to dialogue, but the coach's attitude and gestures prevented any communication, so she correctly applied the rule.
"I wanted to dialogue with the man, but his attitudes and body gestures did not allow for a real dialogue, he crossed the line of respect," she said.
The referee also spoke out about the phrase that sparked outrage, in which Sergio Bueno allegedly said that "a woman wants to prove she has balls." Far from engaging in direct confrontation, Katia Itzel García made it clear that this type of comment should not be normalized in professional football, highlighting that respect for the referee's authority is fundamental. She even acknowledged that she learned about the situation through social media but backed up those who heard the comment, stating that there were several witnesses.
"It has cost a lot to see a woman referee a football match, because for many years there were none. She emphasized that decisions are often judged more harshly for gender reasons, something she considers necessary to highlight. I thought it no longer existed, but we realize that it does, and we must take action."
Moreover, she called on everyone in the football sphere to see things differently and really create changes, to accept people not for their gender but for their quality and what they do in any sphere. "It not only happens in the football sphere, I think it happens in many other spheres and beyond that, it is a moment of reflection and action," she concluded.
Despite the controversy, she assured that this episode does not weaken her, but rather gives her strength to continue in her career and continue demonstrating her ability on the field. In this way, Katia Itzel García not only defended her performance on the field, but also sent a powerful message against disrespect, making it clear that refereeing deserves the same analysis and consideration, regardless of who blows the whistle.
"As a human being, I must not allow that to continue happening, I am a person who believes in justice. We can have a better world for all of us," she added.
