Barcelona star explains red card on international duty
Raphinha has apologised for his sending-off in Brazil’s 3–2 friendly defeat to Japan, while pointing to refereeing decisions he believes went against his side.
The Barcelona forward started Saturday’s friendly but was substituted by Carlo Ancelotti during the second half. His involvement did not end there: a heated exchange with the officials in the closing moments led referee Chuan Hui Jansen Foo to show him a red card and send him back to the dressing room.
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, the 29-year-old explained his frustration with the officiating on a difficult day for the five-time world champions.
“I want to apologise for my sending-off, but it’s hard to keep your cool after seeing so many mistakes by the referee.”
Raphinha said he had tried to speak to the referee several times. He disputed decisions surrounding Japan’s first and third goals, as well as an incident in which he felt Brazil should have been awarded a penalty.
“I tried to talk to him several times, but there was no way. He got things wrong at several points in the match: Japan’s first goal came after a foul he didn’t call; he also failed to award a penalty that I thought I was fouled for, and there was a very clear foul on João for the third goal.”
