SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt bemoaned goalkeeper Washington Arubi’s red card after Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Al Hilal Benghazi in the CAF Confederation Cup.
SuperSport played some of the first half and the entire second without Arubi, who was sent off by referee Patrice Mebiame.
Arubi was initially given a yellow card for handling the ball outside the box. Mebiame, though, elevated this to a red card shortly after the yellow.
“Well, I thought it was a red card straight away but he gave him a yellow card. Then four or five minutes later he gave him a red card. I don’t know for what, but he changed,” said Hunt.
“There is no VAR, but it was a red card. But give him a red card then we know but don’t give him a yellow card, then set up the wall. Put the spray down, push everybody back, then talk to the players and then give him a red card.
“I don’t know if he has his own VAR or something. But this game could have ended up with four players each. It could have been four or five a side.”
Mebiame also dealt red cards to Al Hilal’s Ahmed Mohamed 10 minutes into the second half – and SuperSport assistant coach Grant Johnson shortly before the end of the match.
Play had been stopped for several minutes due to a physical tussle between SuperSport and Al Hilal players and support personnel.
“I can’t put my finger on that incident because there was so much commotion going on,” added Hunt.
“I mean they were lucky it didn’t end up worse than it was. Sorry to say it, I think it could have ended up worse but it didn’t.
“So we are lucky. But it came from someone trying to get somebody sent off. So it’s not right, just in front of us, so a lot of people reacted, but it’s just sad where the game is.”