Real Betis winger Anthony has expressed his regret to the club’s supporters after receiving a red card for inadvertently striking an opposing player in the face during the La Liga match against Girona on Sunday.
In the 87th minute, with the score tied at 1-1, Anthony attempted an overhead kick to control the ball in Girona’s penalty area, but accidentally hit Joel Roca in the face with his foot.
After reviewing the incident with VAR, referee Ios Garek Apesteguia reversed the initial yellow card and issued a straight red card to Anthony.
As he exited the field, Anthony made a gesture of apology to the Betis fans.
Despite the sending off, Betis held on for a draw, but the Brazil international will now be unavailable for the upcoming league derby against Sevilla.
Anthony, who is 25 years old, took to Instagram to share, “I’m very saddened by the red card. All I wanted was to help the team achieve victory.”
“It was a completely unintentional action… I apologize to all the fans who have always been there for me.”
Since his permanent transfer from Manchester City in September, Anthony has contributed six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions.
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The Brazilian had shown promise during his loan at Betis last season, becoming a regular in Manuel Pellegrini’s lineup.
Currently sitting fifth in La Liga, Betis will face FC Utrecht in the Europa League on Thursday, followed by the derby against Sevilla at the Ramon Sánchez Pizjuán this weekend.
Fan Take: This incident highlights the fine line players walk during high-stakes matches and reminds fans of the unpredictability of soccer. Anthony’s absence in the upcoming derby could significantly shift the match dynamics, making it a crucial fate for both his team and their supporters.
