MARACAIBO, Venezuela, July 3 - Colombia coach Jorge Luis Pinto said Copa America referees were afraid of the big teams after a controversial penalty was awarded for Argentina against his team.

"That would not have been a penalty anywhere else in the world, it was a 50-50 ball," Pinto said after Monday's 4-2 defeat.

"The referees are not respectful, the big powers have advantages compared to the smaller ones.

"I could sit here and we could watch the whole match again and I will show you what I'm talking about.

"I coached Costa Rica at the last Copa America and it was the same thing."

Colombia took an early lead but Argentina equalised with a controversial penalty awarded for an alleged foul on Lionel Messi.

Argentine media also complained that Brazilian referee Carlos Simon failed to send off two Colombian players for reckless challenges in the first half.

There have been a series of other refereeing rows in the last few days.

Peru said they should have had a penalty during their 2-0 defeat by Venezuela and were angry after Pedro Garcia was sent off in the 15th minute.

On Sunday, Brazil were awarded a penalty against Chile for an apparently innocuous challenge on Vagner Love.

Robinho converted in the 36th minute to set Brazil, who had not previously created a chance in the game, on their way to a 3-0 win.

U.S. referee Baldomero Toledo was criticised for failing to clamp down on some vicious Uruguayan tackling in their 1-0 win over Bolivia on Saturday.