Marco Antonio Rodríguez

Marco Antonio Rodríguez Moreno (born 10 November 1973 in Mexico City) is a Mexican former football referee and current analyst.

Career

After completing a training as a football referee in Tepic and studying Physical Education, Rodríguez began a career as a professional match official in 1995. He would soon become one of the top referees in the Mexican First Division, where he earned a reputation for commanding respect on the pitch, although he was also known for his temperament and for being quick to show yellow and red cards.

After an incident during the Apertura 2011 final between Tigres and Santos Laguna, he was suspended for 5 games by the Mexican Federation when he showed two yellow cards at the same time to Héctor Mancilla and Carlos Adrián Morales. During the 2014 Copa Libertadores game between Atlético Nacional and Nacional, he gave the quickest red card in the history of the competition when he sent off Alejandro Bernal from Atlético Nacional after 27 seconds into the game for a harsh tackle.

An international referee since 2000, Rodríguez was selected for three FIFA World Cups. In the 2006 tournament in Germany, he refereed the England vs Paraguay match and the Côte d'Ivoire vs Serbia and Montenegro match, where he sent off Cyril Domoraud and Albert Nađ. In the 2010 tournament in South Africa, Rodríguez was match referee for the first group match between Australia and Germany, where he gave a straight red card to Australian striker Tim Cahill. He also sent off Chile's Marco Estrada during the group stage encounter between Chile and Spain.

His final international tournament was the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, in which he took charge of 3 games. During the first round, he refereed the final group D match between Uruguay and Italy, where he sent off Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio after an alleged studs-up challenge on Egidio Arévalo. Later in the match, Rodríguez failed to see Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez bite Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. After the match, which Italy lost 1–0, eliminating them from the tournament, with Uruguay advancing in their place, this assault launched a FIFA Disciplinary Committee investigation that ultimately ruled that Suárez would receive a 9-match suspension and a fine, and would be banned from any football activity for four months.

Two weeks later, Rodríguez officiated the semifinal between hosts Brazil and eventual champions Germany, which ended in a historic 1-7 loss for Brazil. After the end of the tournament, Rodríguez announced his retirement as referee.

In August 2019, Rodríguez signed as head coach of Spanish third-tier team Salamanca CF. However, few days later and just one day before starting the league, he was sacked.

In 2020, he joined TUDN as a football analyst. He was partially removed from the channel in early 2024, although as of June 2024 he continues making appearances on Foro TV.

Personal life

Early in his refereeing career, Rodríguez was nicknamed "Chiquidrácula" due to his resemblance with a Mexican TV character of child Count Dracula, portrayed by Carlos Espejel. Later, Rodríguez stated that he preferred to be called "Chiquimarco", as he deemed the Dracula reference to be incompatible with his Christian faith.

A sports professor during his early days as a referee, Rodríguez also formerly served as a Protestant Pastor.

In July 2023, Rodríguez was indicted on charges of domestic violence against his wife and one of his daughters.

World Cup matches officiated

Tournament	Date	Venue	Round	Team 1	Result	Team 2
Template:Flagicon 2006	10 June	Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt	First round	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = England	flag alias = Flag of England.svg	flag alias-naval = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Navy	flag alias-navy = English White Ensign 1620.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Navy	link alias-cricket = England cricket team	empty = England Saxons	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }}||1–0||{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Paraguay	flag alias = Flag of Paraguay.svg	flag alias-1812 = Flag of Paraguay (1812-1826).svg	flag alias-1826 = Flag of Paraguay (1826-1842).svg	flag alias-1842 = Flag of Paraguay (1842-1954).svg	flag alias-1954 = Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg	flag alias-1988 = Flag of Paraguay (1988-1990).svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Paraguay (1990–2013).svg	link alias-naval = Paraguayan Navy	link alias-air force = Paraguayan Air Force	link alias-army = Paraguayan Army	link alias-navy = Paraguayan Navy	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team }}
Template:Flagicon 2006	21 June	Allianz Arena, Munich	First round	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Ivory Coast	flag alias = Flag of Côte d'Ivoire.svg	flag alias-1959 = Flag of Côte d'Ivoire (WFB 2009).gif	flag alias-2004 = Flag of Cote d'Ivoire (2004 World Factbook).gif	size =	variant =	name =	altlink = national football team }}||3–2||{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Serbia and Montenegro	flag alias = Flag of Yugoslavia (1992–2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Serbia and Montenegro.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Serbia and Montenegro.svg	link alias-naval = Navy of Serbia and Montenegro	link alias-air force = Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro	flag alias-air force=Fin Marking of FR Yugoslav Air Force.svg	link alias-army = Ground Forces of Serbia and Montenegro	link alias-military = Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro	border-air force=	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Serbia and Montenegro.svg	link alias-navy = Navy of Serbia and Montenegro	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}
Template:Flagicon 2010	13 June	Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban	First round	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Germany	flag alias = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-1866 = Flag of the German Empire.svg	link alias-1866 = German Empire	flag alias-empire = Flag of the German Empire.svg	link alias-empire = German Empire	flag alias-1919 = Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg	link alias-1919 = Weimar Republic	flag alias-Weimar = Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg	link alias-Weimar = Weimar Republic	flag alias-1933 = Flag of Germany (1933-1935).svg	flag alias-1935 = Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg	link alias-1935 = Nazi Germany	flag alias-Nazi = Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg	link alias-Nazi = Nazi Germany	flag alias-1946 = Merchant flag of Germany (1946–1949).svg	border-1946 =	flag alias-1949 = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-EUA = German Olympic flag (1959-1968).svg	flag alias-gold = Flag of West Germany; Flag of Germany (1990–1996).svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Germany (state).svg	link alias-military = Bundeswehr	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Germany.svg	border-naval =	link alias-naval = German Navy	flag alias-coast guard=German Federal Coast Guard racing stripe.svg	border-coast guard=	link alias-coast guard=German Federal Coast Guard	flag alias-army = Colour of Germany.svg	flag alias-air force =Flag of Germany (state).svg	link alias-air force = German Air Force	link alias-army = German Army	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Germany.svg	link alias-navy = German Navy	border-navy =	border-army=	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||4–0||{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Australia	flag alias = Flag of Australia (converted).svg	flag alias-1901 = Flag of Australia (1901-1903).svg	flag alias-1903 = Flag of Australia (1903-1908).svg	flag alias-union = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg	flag alias-colonial = Australian Colonial Flag.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Australia.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Australia.svg	flag alias-naval-1913 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Australian Navy	link alias-army = Australian Army	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Australia.svg	link alias-air force = Royal Australian Air Force	flag alias-air force-1948 = Air Force Ensign of Australia (1948–1982).svg	flag alias-air force-1922 = Air Force Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg	link alias-football = Australia men's national soccer team	flag alias-marines=UCP 2RAR.svg	link alias-marines=2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Australia.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Australian Navy	flag alias-military = Ensign of the Australian Defence Force.svg	link alias-military = Australian Defence Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}
Template:Flagicon 2010	25 June	Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria	First round	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Spain	flag alias = Flag of Spain.svg	flag alias-1506 = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg	flag alias-1701 = Bandera de España 1701-1748.svg	flag alias-1748 = Bandera de España 1748-1785.svg	flag alias-1760 = Bandera de España 1760-1785.svg	flag alias-1785 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg	flag alias-1874 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1931 = Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg	flag alias-civil-1931 = Flag of the Second Spanish Republic (plain).svg	flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Bando Nacional (1936–1938).svg	flag alias-1938 = Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg	flag alias-1945 = Flag of Spain (1945–1977).svg	flag alias-1977 = Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag of Spain (civil).svg	flag alias-civil-1785 = BandMercante1785.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-navy = Spanish Navy	flag alias-marines = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-marines = Spanish Marine Infantry	flag alias-army = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-army = Spanish Army	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Spain.svg	link alias-naval = Spanish Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-air force = Spanish Air and Space Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||2–1||{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Chile	flag alias = Flag of Chile.svg	flag alias-mapuche = Ancient mapuche flag.svg	flag alias-lautaro = Lautaro flag.svg	flag alias-spain = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg	flag alias-spain1 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1812 = Flag of Chile (1812-1814).svg	flag alias-1812a = Flag of Chile (1812-1814, alternative).svg	flag alias-andes = Bandera de la Provincia de Mendoza.svg	flag alias-1817 = Flag of Chile of the transition (1817).svg	flag alias-1817_proposal = Flag of Chile (1817-1818, 2nd).svg	flag alias-1818 = Flag of Chile (1818).svg	flag alias-1818a = Flag of Chile (1818-1854).svg	flag alias-1819 = State Ensign of Chile (1819-1834).svg	flag alias-expedition = Flag of the Liberating Expedition of Peru.svg	flag alias-1826 = Flag of Chile (Civil Use, 1826-1854).svg	flag alias-ap = Flag of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia.svg	flag alias-easter1 = Easter Island flag 1876 to 1888.svg	flag alias-easter = Flag of Rapa Nui, Chile.svg	flag alias-president = Bandera del presidente de Chile.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Chile.svg	link alias-naval = Chilean Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Chilean Air Force.svg	link alias-air force =Chilean Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Chilean Army.svg	link alias-army = Chilean Army	flag alias-navy = Flag of Chile.svg	link alias-navy = Chilean Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}
Template:Flagicon 2014	17 June	Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte	First round	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Belgium	flag alias = Flag of Belgium (civil).svg	flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Belgium.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Belgium.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of Belgium (1830).svg	flag alias-1858 = Royal ensign of Belgium (1858).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Belgian Land Component.svg	link alias-army = Belgian Land Component	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-naval = Belgian Navy	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-air force = Belgian Air Component	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg	link alias-navy = Belgian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||2–1||{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Algeria	flag alias = Flag of Algeria.svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of France (1794-1815).svg	flag alias-1958 = Flag of Algeria (1958-1962).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Algeria.svg	link alias-naval = Algerian National Navy	link alias-air force = Algerian Air Force	link alias-army = Algerian Land Forces	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Algeria.svg	link alias-navy = Algerian National Navy	link alias-military = Algerian People's National Army	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}
Template:Flagicon 2014	24 June	Arena das Dunas, Natal	First round	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Italy	flag alias = Flag of Italy.svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of Italy (1861–1946).svg	flag alias-1943 = War flag of the Italian Social Republic.svg	flag alias-2003 = Flag of Italy (2003–2006).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Italy.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Italy.svg	flag alias-navy-1947 = Naval Ensign of Italy (1947-2013).svg	link alias-naval = Italian Navy	link alias-air force = Italian Air Force	link alias-army = Italian Army	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Italy.svg	link alias-navy = Italian Navy	link alias-roller hockey = Italy {{{mw}}} national roller hockey team	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }}||0–1||{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Uruguay	flag alias = Flag of Uruguay.svg	flag alias-1828 = Flag of Uruguay (1828-1830).svg	link alias-naval = National Navy of Uruguay	flag alias-army = Flag of Uruguayan Army.svg	National Army of Uruguay	link alias-air force = Uruguayan Air Force	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Uruguayan Air Force.svg	link alias-navy = National Navy of Uruguay	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}
Template:Flagicon 2014	8 July	Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte	Semi-finals	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Brazil	flag alias-1692 = Flag of the Princes of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of Brazil (1822-1853).svg	flag alias-1870 = Flag of Brazil (1853-1889).svg	flag alias = Flag of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1889 = Flag of Brazil (1889–1960).svg	flag alias-1960 = Flag of Brazil (1960–1968).svg	flag alias-1968 = Flag of Brazil (1968–1992).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Brazilian Army.svg	link alias-army = Brazilian Army	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Brazilian Air Force Command.svg	link alias-air force = Brazilian Air Force	link alias-naval = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-marines=Flag of the Brazilian Marine Corps.svg	link alias-marines=Brazilian Marine Corps	link alias-military = Brazilian Armed Forces	link alias-navy = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Brazilian Navy.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||1–7||{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Germany	flag alias = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-1866 = Flag of the German Empire.svg	link alias-1866 = German Empire	flag alias-empire = Flag of the German Empire.svg	link alias-empire = German Empire	flag alias-1919 = Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg	link alias-1919 = Weimar Republic	flag alias-Weimar = Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg	link alias-Weimar = Weimar Republic	flag alias-1933 = Flag of Germany (1933-1935).svg	flag alias-1935 = Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg	link alias-1935 = Nazi Germany	flag alias-Nazi = Flag of Germany (1935–1945).svg	link alias-Nazi = Nazi Germany	flag alias-1946 = Merchant flag of Germany (1946–1949).svg	border-1946 =	flag alias-1949 = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-EUA = German Olympic flag (1959-1968).svg	flag alias-gold = Flag of West Germany; Flag of Germany (1990–1996).svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Germany (state).svg	link alias-military = Bundeswehr	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Germany.svg	border-naval =	link alias-naval = German Navy	flag alias-coast guard=German Federal Coast Guard racing stripe.svg	border-coast guard=	link alias-coast guard=German Federal Coast Guard	flag alias-army = Colour of Germany.svg	flag alias-air force =Flag of Germany (state).svg	link alias-air force = German Air Force	link alias-army = German Army	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Germany.svg	link alias-navy = German Navy	border-navy =	border-army=	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}

External links

• FIFA profile
• Reuters profile