In a dramatic La Liga clash between Real Betis and Girona, Brazilian midfielder Antony was sent off in the 90th minute after attempting an acrobatic bicycle kick reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s style, but it ended in an unfortunate red card.
The incident unfolded in the dying moments of the 1-1 draw, when Antony launched into an audacious overhead kick. However, instead of hitting the ball, his foot made direct contact with the face of Girona defender Joel Roca. Initially, the referee allowed play to continue, but after VAR review a straight red card was issued.
Despite the gravity of the decision, Antony’s remorseful reaction won the hearts of Betis fans. Antony folded his hands apologetically and bowed towards the stands, a gesture that prompted the home crowd to stand and applaud his sportsmanship.
After the match, Antony took to social media to further express his regret:
“I am ashamed that I received that red card. I just wanted to help my team win. It was never intentional. I sincerely apologize to our fans. Thank you for your unwavering support.”
Since he moved permanently to The real Betis This summer, Antony has shown impressive form scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist in just 8 La Liga games. His contribution helped lift Betis to fifth place in the table with 21 points after 13 games.
However, his absence in the next Andalusian derby against Seville It will be a hard blow for coach Manuel Pellegrini. While Antonio’s appearance may suggest a fiery character, his playing style was largely clean and controlled. This marks only the fourth red card in his professional career, with previous sackings coming during his spell Saint Paul, Ajaxand once before with Betis.
Last season, Antony was also sent off late in a match against Getafe for a tough challenge from behind. Yet, his sincere remorse and passion for Betis continue to earn him favor among the Andalusian faithful.
Sources: 24 hours
