Fernando Espinoza, a referee from Mendoza, garnered attention after leaving the Instituto stadium like a celebrity, signing autographs for fans after officiating a match that included a disputed penalty decision. During the game, he awarded a penalty to Instituto, which many, including the coaching staff of rival team Atlético Tucumán, deemed nonexistent. This incident reignited tensions between the teams and drew criticism from the Atlético Tucumán side, further amplifying the animosity surrounding officiating in Argentine football.

The penalty call that Espinoza made involved Alex Luna, a player from Instituto, leading to uproar from Atlético Tucumán supporters who were already on edge. The match had significant implications, as it not only affected team standings but also reflected ongoing frustrations with refereeing standards in the Argentine league. This is not the first time Espinoza has been at the center of controversy, as he had previously officiated a critical match that helped Instituto gain promotion to the top division, leaving lingering feelings of resentment among rival fans.

Espinoza's decision to sign autographs immediately after the match highlights a unique dynamic in Argentine football where referees sometimes achieve a level of celebrity among fans, despite being controversial figures. The fallout from this event could lead to further scrutiny of officiating practices within the league, and potentially influence how the AFA addresses referee accountability, especially in light of the ongoing drama between Instituto and Atlético Tucumán.