South Africa’s Zwane handed three-match ban after red card against Mexico

South Africa midfielder Themba Zwane has been handed an extended three-match suspension following his red card in last week’s World Cup opener against Mexico, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

Zwane was sent off late in South Africa’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the Azteca Stadium after striking defender Roberto Alvarado in the face. Bafana Bafana had already been reduced to 10 men following the earlier dismissal of midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, and ended the match with nine players.

The 36-year-old, who had only been on the pitch for a little over 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute, appeared surprised by the decision. He had attempted to dribble past Alvarado near the edge of the penalty area when the pair made contact and his hand struck the Mexican defender in the face.

Following the match, South Africa coach Hugo Broos questioned the decision to send off Zwane, although he accepted Sithole’s dismissal for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

“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 position of the referee, 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 automatically carries a one-match suspension, but FIFA’s disciplinary committee can increase the punishment in cases involving foul play.

South Africa, who face the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday in their second Group A fixture, have the option of appealing the decision, FIFA said.

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