The controversy surrounding the first-leg match between Barcelona SC and Argentinos Juniors in the second stage of the Copa Libertadores has escalated with remarks from Cristian Malaspina, the club president of Argentinos Juniors. He firmly dismissed allegations from the Ecuadorian side suggesting that his team had presented gifts to the referees prior to the match held in Guayaquil. Malaspina's comments came in an interview where he expressed that the insinuations of wrongdoing were exaggerated and not reflective of the reality of the situation.

In defending the conduct of Argentinos Juniors during their time in Ecuador, Malaspina emphasized that the accusations stemmed from a misunderstanding related to a customary symbolic gesture of the club. He pointed out that the club has a tradition of presenting statues of the legendary Diego Armando Maradona to signify their history and connection to the sport. This aspect was misinterpreted by those in question, leading to the current controversy.

As the Copa Libertadores progresses, it is essential for teams to uphold their reputations and integrity on international stages. Malaspina's comments aim to quell the tension and refocus the narrative away from accusations and towards the match itself. The ongoing dialogue regarding sportsmanship and conduct in international competitions remains a vital topic, with such incidents impacting relationships between clubs and officials in future engagements.