Soccer-Colombia want referee axed after ball hits him before goal

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa America 2021 - Group B - Brazil v Colombia - Estadio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - June 23, 2021 Colombia's Miguel Borja remonstrates with referee Nestor Pitana REUTERS/Sergio Moraes/File Photo

(Reuters) - The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) has asked Copa America organizers to suspend the referee from their 2-1 defeat by Brazil, saying he prejudiced the result by not halting play when the ball hit him in the lead up to a goal.

Nestor Pitana, the Argentine who refereed the 2018 World Cup final, waved play on when the ball bounced off him outside Colombia's box and Brazil continued passing for Roberto Firmino to head in an equalizer.