Overview
- Referee Jordi Espinoza showed Cueva two yellow cards in quick succession after an opening collision and protests, leaving Juan Pablo II a player down almost immediately.
- Broadcaster Richard de la Piedra reported that Cueva allegedly called the referee “mediocre,” which he said explains the first booking.
- Journalist Gustavo Peralta relayed an alternate version that the second yellow came for brief physical contact with Espinoza, while noting no clear TV angle shows it.
- Cueva denied insulting the official, called the decision “shameful,” and reportedly approached Espinoza after the match to contest what happened.
- Universitario won 4-1, and any suspension now depends on Espinoza’s written report, which is the document league officials use to decide discipline in Peru’s Liga 1.