It couldn’t have been more bitter…
The 64th minute of the duel between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr is underway and the score is 2:2. Ittihad player Fabinho (30) is in a duel with Al-Nassr professional Otavio (28). The ex-Liverpool star (played for the Reds under coach Jürgen Klopp from 2018 to 2023) wants to run off a ball that is spinning towards the goal.
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Those: AP/SNTV 12.27.2023
Then the controversial scene occurs: Otavio tries to reach the ball. Fabinho uses his body, but hits his opponent with his right hand with a “punch” that is more likely to be classified as an accidental swipe. He lifts with a slight delay and holds his face distorted in pain – a strong acting performance.
Referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos initially allows the game to continue and decides on a goal kick. But then the VAR suddenly switches on – and the Greek referee surprisingly decides, according to the pictures, on a penalty for Al-Nassr and a red card for Fabinho.
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The Brazilian midfielder doesn’t want to believe this, shakes his head repeatedly and expresses his incomprehension. But the referee remains adamant about his decision.
Referee Sidiropoulos (orange) shows Fabinho (next to him) the red card – he no longer understands the world
Foto: Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo (38) doesn’t care, he converts the penalty to make it 3-2 for Al-Nassr (68th) – his second penalty goal of the game. In total, the Portuguese superstar now has 53 goals this year, making him the most successful striker in the world in 2023.
Then ex-Bayern star Sadio Mané (31) made everything clear with a brace (75th/82nd). Al-Nassr wins 5-2 and stays second in the table – mainly thanks to the very controversial red card for Fabinho.
The 29-time national player has only been playing in Saudi Arabia for six months. In the summer he moved from Liverpool to the desert for around 47 million euros. For Fabinho it is the first sending off of his career.
Al-Ittihad, where, in addition to Fabinho, the 2022 world footballer Karim Benzema (36) and ex-Chelsea star N’Golo Kanté (32) are under contract, is having a disappointing season. The Saudi club is only in sixth place in the Saudi Pro League – 15 points behind Al-Nassr and 22 points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
2023-12-27 13:52:24
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