[Mexico DF, Mexico]

For those in show business March is awards season. This year in particular has been kind to Mexico. In the Oscars, Coco was a triumph earning best animated movie and Willy Del Toro won best director for Shape of Water, proving in the process that a love story between a woman and a mutant fish-man can warm all of our hearts, provided the right light.

The greatest honor for Mexican entertainers, however, is the TV y Novelas award. The award is given to the best of the best in TV or film*. The talk of the town this year was referee

Fernando Guerrero, a dark horse whose name wasn’t even in the ballot, but that delivered such a stellar last minute performance that the academy awarded him the title of Best Villain on Television.

Guerrero’s performance was set against the Liga MX Clasico Nacional match between Chivas and Club America: The quintessential death match that reigns supreme in Mexican football**. This year’s clash had both sides playing fiercely, but it was Chivas who took the lead by way of a ruthless Jose Godinez strike. Faced with adversity, the “Aguilas” went hard. After several minutes of dominance, America finally found the back of the net through a determined counterattack. Joy fills the stadium.

But, in an unforeseen plot twist, Guerrero disallowed the goal, claiming offside on Paraguayan forward Cecilio Dominguez.. A collective “NO MAMES!”*** resounded sounded across Mexico as America was robbed of the win.

Guerrero’s performance as a villain is “breath-taking”, says Mexican film academy member. “Not since Soraya have we had character acting with such recklessness and disregard for the rules, he is the most hated, rage-inducing character in recent television history, and for that we applaud him”. We attempted to reach Guerrero for comment on his achievement, but failed as he is currently laying low until things calm down a bit.

~ The author of this article is Tony, a man who occasionally sleeps on the couch in the Vuvuzela’s offices. Being a Peruvian of 28 years experience, he is our go to source for all things about South American futbol.

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*Don Francisco’s best game show host winning streak is longer than Arsene Wenger’s run at Arsenal.

** Things get so caliente that riots are not uncommon (such as the one in 1983).

*** The Spanish language equivalent to the Anglo-Saxon “Are you f#$%ing kidding me”.