Chilean referee Pablo Pozo accused of racism

BOGOTÁ.- The players and coaches of the Colombian national soccer team have spoken out today against racist remarks made by Chilean referee Pablo Pozo, who presided over last night's South Africa World Cup qualifying match, where Colombia lost 2-0 to Venezuela.

"When he expelled Abel (Aguilar) he yelled hysterically: 'Get that black guy out of here! Get that black guy out of here!' He told me, and Mario immediately asked him: 'Why are you treating him like that? Respect us!'. That is something that is simply not acceptable", expressed the physician for the Colombian team, Héctor Fabio Cruz.

Meanwhile, forward Darwin Quintero asserted "they called us black, but many times he asked us if it made us uncomfortable", while denying any knowledge of whether it was the same treatment given to Aguilar when he was expelled 25 minutes after receiving two yellow cards.

"This is an embarrassment, I though that this kind of thing did not happen at the international level, but it has to be said", stated Radamel Falcao García.

Despite criticism from local press regarding Colombia's game play and inability to score, several reporters agreed that Pozo crossed the line with the first yellow card against Aguilar, doubted whether Venezuela's first goal was acceptable and complained of a foul against Falcao, which in their opinion should have warranted a penalty kick.