Nahuel Guzmán expelled for pushing referee in Leagues Cup match

Tigres UANL goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán was sent off during a Leagues Cup 2026 match against the Vancouver Whitecaps after physically pushing referee Iván Barton. The incident occurred in the final minutes of the game when Guzmán, attempting to quickly restart a free kick, collided with the official.

Following the red card, the 40-year-old Argentine goalkeeper exhibited a violent outburst in the tunnel, kicking and throwing objects, including a trash bin and a chair. The dismissal followed an earlier red card for teammate Diego Lainez, who was sent off for protesting a decision and questioning the officiating.

Despite the disciplinary chaos, Tigres secured a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Guzmán faces potential significant sanctions from the Leagues Cup disciplinary committee; under FIFA guidelines, penalties for unsporting conduct or intimidating officials can range from four to 15 matches. This incident adds to Guzmán's history of disciplinary issues, including a recent seven-match suspension from Concacaf.