New controversy in the Superclasico: Héctor Palletta, referee of the VAR, is being investigated for alleged cryptocurrency payments

The arbitration controversy of the last Super Classic between Boca and River added a chapter that transcends sports. Justice is investigating possible irregular financial movements linked to Héctor Paletta, the referee in charge of the VAR during

the match at Monumental.

The focus is on alleged cryptocurrency transactions that would far exceed the revenues declared by the judge. According to the ongoing investigation, during 2024 Paletta would have received accreditations in virtual wallets for more than 130 million pesos, which aroused suspicion about the origin of

these funds.

In this context, the authorities seek to determine if part of these movements could be related to undue payments linked to their arbitral work. For now, there is no official confirmation of this connection, although the cause is proceeding in parallel with the sporting repercussions

.

The move that sparked the Paletta controversy

took center stage after failing to summon referee Darío Herrera to review a key action at the close of the game: a push by Lautaro Blanco on Lucas Martínez Quarta in the area that River claimed as a

penalty.

The move occurred 48 minutes into the second half. Herrera considered that there was no violation and since the VAR, with Paletta and Sebastián Habib as assistant, no review was suggested. The decision generated strong criticism, especially when compared to another similar move by Maximiliano Salas against Ayrton Costa in

which a foul was sanctioned.

Background under the spotlight Questions

about Paletta from the River environment are not new. In November 2025, also in a Super Classic, it was claimed that a violation prior to Exequiel Zeballos's goal should not be reviewed

.

A year earlier, in September 2024, in the Millionaire's victory in La Bombonera with a substitute 11, the VAR did not intervene in two controversial actions involving Marcos Rojo, who avoided expulsion both times.

Even at the start of the current tournament, in a match against Barracas Central, the lack of review of Gastón Campi's hand inside the box after a shot by Fausto Vera was questioned.

To these sports cases, personal history is also added, such as the passage of his brother Gabriel through Boca, who went so far as to declare: “My whole family is a fan of Boca, and I would sometimes go to

see him”.

The judicial and fiscal investigation is taking place as the debate grows about the use of the VAR and transparency in Argentine arbitration. The progress of the case could have an impact both in the judicial and in the sports spheres, in a context where the controversy of the Superclasico is still open and now has an unexpected front

.