South Africa’s Zwane receives a three‑match ban after a red card in the Mexico game.

FIFA announced on Wednesday that South African midfielder Themba Zwane will miss three matches after receiving a red card in the World Cup opening match against Mexico.

He was dismissed late in South Africa’s 2‑0 loss to Mexico at the Azteca Stadium after striking defender Roberto Alvarado in the face. The team had already been reduced to ten men after midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was sent off earlier, leaving the side with nine players at the final whistle.

The 36‑year‑old, who had been on the field for just over 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute, seemed surprised by the ruling. He had tried to dribble past Alvarado near the edge of the penalty area when the two collided and his hand hit the Mexican defender’s face.

After the game, South Africa coach Hugo Broos questioned the decision to send off Zwane, though he accepted Sithole’s dismissal for denying a goal‑scoring chance.

“The second red card we can discuss,” Broos said at the post‑match press conference. “It was the Mexican player who was blocking my player. But it’s the referee’s position, and we have to accept it also, but I think it was too soft to give that as a red card. “The first red card, you have to accept it. Their player was going alone to the goal and Yaya (Sithole) fouled him, so that I can understand.”

A straight red card at the World Cup normally results in a one‑match ban, but FIFA’s disciplinary committee may extend the punishment in cases of foul play.

South Africa, who will face the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday in their second Group A match, can appeal the decision, FIFA said.

The post South Africa’s Zwane handed three‑match ban after red card against Mexico appeared first on Vanguard News.