A Mexican football referee, Rosario Guadalupe Cárdenas, has been dismissed from his role after failing to officiate a match, following reports that he was allegedly drugged and assaulted by a sex worker he had hired.
Cárdenas, 27, was scheduled to serve as the fourth official during a match between Monterrey and Tigres in the Apertura Tournament on October 19. However, the Mexican Referees Commission announced on the match day that he had been replaced due to “medical reasons.”
An internal investigation was launched on October 21 to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. Former international referee Francisco Chacón later claimed that Cárdenas missed the game because he sustained injuries after being attacked by a sex worker he brought to his hotel the night before the match.
“It turns out that Mr. Rosario Cárdenas decided to hire a companion one day before the game,” Chacón stated. “At his hotel, he was drugged and assaulted, which is why he did not show up for his game. That was the so-called ‘medical reason.’”
Following the investigation, the Referees Commission confirmed Cárdenas’ dismissal on December 4, citing violations of ethical and professional standards.
In a statement, the commission said:
“The Referees Commission reports that it completed a detailed internal investigation to clarify the details of the incident involving referee Rosario Guadalupe Cárdenas on October 19. As a conclusion to the investigation, it has decided to terminate his contract for non-compliance with the Arbitration Rules.”
The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) further alleged that Cárdenas had breached its internal regulations and ethical values. A source revealed that legal proceedings are ongoing to investigate the claims of assault.
“We were informed that this matter went through the FMF’s legal department, which determined that Cárdenas violated the ethical and professional values of the organization,” the source told Record, a Mexican newspaper. “Regardless of the legal outcome, the referee was dismissed for failing to fulfill his professional responsibilities.”
Cárdenas’ conduct has drawn significant criticism, with the FMF emphasizing the importance of discipline and professionalism among officials in its ranks.
