Jorge Baliño, born in Tandil, began his career in refereeing in 2001, when he officiated his first match in the local league between Loma Negra and San José. Since then, his career has been on the rise. In 2007, he made his debut in the Argentine Premier Division, a key step that solidified his position in the country's elite refereeing.
Over the years, Baliño has made a name for himself. His style blends firmness with the ability to communicate, allowing him to maintain control in tense matches without resorting to authoritarianism. He is one of those referees who seek to explain before penalizing, although when a decision needs to be made, he does so without hesitation.
In 2022, he embarked on a new stage: becoming an international VAR referee, being called up by Conmebol for key tasks. His highest point in this role came in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana final, where he led the video refereeing team, a recognition of his experience and reliability.
Not everything has been smooth sailing. In July 2022, he was at the center of a highly remembered controversy: the match between Barracas Central and Patronato, where he disallowed two goals for the Entre Ríos team and awarded a questionable penalty to Barracas. Criticisms quickly followed, and his performance was strongly questioned in the media.
Despite the ups and downs, Jorge Baliño remains a prominent figure in Argentine refereeing, both on and off the field, where he has also taken on guild roles to defend his colleagues.
Argentina
