Chivas is preparing to visit Atlético San Luis in the fourth round of the Clausura 2026 with an extra factor that has set off alarms in Verde Valle: the referee assignment. The Referee Commission has given the responsibility of the match to Yonatan Peinado, a referee just 26 years old who represents the new wave of Mexican refereeing, but who has minimal experience in the top league.
Peinado’s Strictness: Cards and Penalties Under Scrutiny
Despite his limited experience—with only seven matches officiated in the previous tournament—Peinado has already built a reputation as an extremely strict referee. The statistics from the Apertura 2025 are striking: the referee averages almost six yellow cards per match and has not hesitated to award penalties in four of his seven appearances. For Gabriel Milito’s team, maintaining discipline will be crucial, as they face a referee who does not tolerate excessive dialogue and severely punishes rough play.
The Contrast: The Experience of “Gato” Ortiz from the VAR
To balance the inexperience of Peinado on the field, Liga MX has appointed Marco Antonio “Gato” Ortiz as the VAR official. This duo generates mixed feelings among the rojiblanca fans, as Ortiz is well-known for controversial refereeing decisions involving the Rebaño. The challenge for Chivas will be twofold: adapting to the disciplinary criteria of a debutant referee in their matches and trusting that technology will correct any youthful errors that may arise at the Alfonso Lastras.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
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