Cristian Traverso, a former Universidad de Chile player, recalled in an interview the controversial uncalled penalty in the 1996 Copa Libertadores semifinal against River Plate, which led to the Chilean team's elimination. The ex-defender described the refereeing as a 'total robbery' and praised his squad's historic performance.
Nearly three decades after the 1996 Copa Libertadores semifinal between Universidad de Chile and River Plate, Cristian Traverso revived the controversy in an interview with Argentine channel TyC Sports. In the first leg, played in Santiago, both teams drew 2-2, leaving the tie open for the return match in Buenos Aires.
There, River Plate advanced to the final with a win overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions. Traverso criticized Ecuadorian referee Alfredo Rodas for not awarding an obvious penalty to U, when goalkeeper Germán Burgos fouled Esteban Valencia inside the box. 'It was a total robbery, but bad, blatant,' stated the ex-defender, who later received confirmation from a former teammate who played for River in that tie and then joined him at Boca Juniors.
Despite the elimination, Traverso praised the campaign of that team coached by the late Miguel Ángel Russo. 'That team made history. We didn't win the title, but we had River on the ropes,' he said. The former player also recalled his close relationship with Russo, staying in touch via messages even after his time at U.
The 1996 edition remains one of the most notable chapters in Universidad de Chile's international history, as the team progressed far in the continental tournament.
