Astonishing moment referee ignores VAR and REFUSES to send players off for two-footed tackle and punch in face

THIS is the astonishing moment a referee ignored VAR and refused to send players off following chaos on the pitch.

Uruguayan giants Nacional and Argentine aces River Plate played out a fiery Copa Libertadores group stage game on Tuesday night.

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Visitors River took a 2-0 lead in the first half but were pegged back late on by two goals in as many minutes from Nacional’s Gonzalo Carneiro.

However, things could have turned out differently had the referee opted to show several red cards earlier in the match.

With River lead 2-0 early in the second half, chaos reigned when a Nacional player launched an outrageous two-footed lunge on an opponent.

The naughty footballer left the floor as he walloped the River player, who cried out in pain from the resulting challenge.

This sparked a massive on-field melee as stars from both sides, with plenty of pushing and shoving.

It quickly escalated as several punches were thrown, with one River player even getting hit in the face.

And VAR quickly interjected to tell the ref he must look at the pitch-side monitor before doling out any punishment.

The official took his time on the sideline, watching several replays of the tackle and resulting brawl.

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However, in incredible scenes, the referee opted not to show a single red card.

Instead, he dished out several yellows to keep the wild flow of the game going.

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But River fans were not happy, especially as the lack of serious action eventually resulted in Nacional rescuing a draw.

One said: “A shame due to the refereeing errors.”

Another declared: “That’s a red card.”

One noted: “The tackle and the punch were red, these errors cannot just remain like this.”

Another added: “Everything is against us, they robbed us with VAR showing everything.”