Referee refuses to shake hands with Christian Pulisic after controversial match against Uruguay

In a dramatic turn of events during the recent Copa America match between the USA and Uruguay, referee Kevin Ortega refused to shake hands with American captain Christian Pulisic following a contentious game filled with questionable calls and heated exchanges. The match, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for the USA, saw Pulisic confronting the officials after a series of baffling refereeing decisions, including a disputed offside call that led to Uruguay's winning goal. Pulisic's attempt to shake hands with the officials was met with a cold response from Ortega, who kept his hands behind his back and ignored the gesture. Throughout the game, tensions ran high as both players and fans expressed frustration over Ortega's handling of the match, with several controversial calls going against the USA team. One particular incident involved a yellow card shown to USA defender Chris Richards, followed by a decision to play advantage to Uruguay, sparking outrage among the American players. The match was marred by a series of amateurish mistakes from the referee, culminating in a sense of injustice felt by the USA team and supporters. Despite the contentious nature of the game, Pulisic maintained a level-headed approach in his post-match comments, choosing not to dwell on Ortega's decisions but expressing his frustration with the overall situation. The incident of Ortega refusing to shake Pulisic's hand highlighted the simmering tensions between the teams and the officiating crew, underscoring the contentious atmosphere that defined the match. The refusal to shake hands symbolized the lingering animosity and dissatisfaction felt by the USA team towards the refereeing decisions that ultimately impacted the outcome of the game. As the fallout from the match continues to unfold, questions have been raised about the fairness and impartiality of the officiating, with accusations of favoritism and incompetence leveled against Ortega. The controversial moments during the game have sparked debate and scrutiny, highlighting the challenges and controversies that can arise in high-stakes international competitions like the Copa America. The refusal to shake hands between Pulisic and Ortega serves as a poignant reminder of the intense emotions and rivalries that can define competitive sports, leaving a lasting impression on both teams and fans alike.