The red card issued to Themba Zwane will be challenged by South Africa, according to the head coach of the South African team Hugo Broos, who wondered why Messi got away with the same behavior that earned Zwane a three-match suspension for violent conduct, Yankee Scores reports.
Thembza Zwane was shown a direct red card in the 84th minute of the South African team’s first match against Mexico that ended in a score of 2-0 to Mexico in Mexico City on Thursday, leaving the South Africans with only nine players in the game.
The Messi Comparison
Unlike Messi who escaped unscathed from a stamp on the leg of an Algerian player in his team’s first match against Algeria, where the Argentineans won 3-0, Hugo Broos finds the double standard among the referees appalling.
FIFA WORLD CUP | Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says he disputes the red card given to Themba Zwane. This follows FIFA’s decision to hand the Bafana Bafana midfielder a three-match suspension. He adds that they will appeal the ruling. pic.twitter.com/XMYjGw11wM
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 17, 2026
“I don’t want Messi to get a red card, a player like that has to be on the pitch, we all saw what a wonderful player he is, but what’s the difference?” Broos asked in Wednesday’s press conference.
“Zwane’s red card is too severe. I watched the situation back with Themba and I don’t think it was a red.
“When I compare it to what happened yesterday with Messi, I certainly don’t agree. I don’t think there was even a VAR review with Messi, whereas this incident was reviewed.”
Zwane, who entered as a substitute in the 67th minute, was subsequently shown a straight red card 23 minutes later after appearing to raise his arm against a Mexican player during a counterattack attempt from South Africa. The 36-year-old seemed shocked when the match referee Wilton Sampaio brandished the red card after consulting with VAR following the incident.
“When you look at the situation, the Mexico player blocks my player,” Broos added. “He’s not looking at the ball, he’s just holding Themba.
“Themba tries to get over him, puts his arm over his shoulder, and for that you get a red card and a three-match suspension!?
“I’m sorry, but it’s much too severe.”
A Depleted Spine Ahead of Czech Showdown
Unless the appeals committee rules otherwise in favor of Bafana, then it means that the veteran attacker cannot play again until at least the quarter-finals stage if South Africa qualify past that stage in their World Cup debut.
South Africa face Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday.
Sinethemba Sithole is set for a one-game ban after he received his red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity in the 50th minute in South Africa’s opening game, while Bafana were trailing by one goal.
Messi is the leading scorer in the World Cup so far after scoring a treble in Argentina’s opening match in the World Cup against Algeria.
“I’m frustrated by it, certainly,” Broos concluded.
