Although the match had not yet begun and both sides were still outside the pitch, an astonishing scene unfolded — a player was shown a red card while standing in the tunnel. This rare and unprecedented moment took place in Indian top-flight football.
FC Goa were set to play Mumbai City FC in the Super Cup semi-final on Thursday. However, before the match could start, FC Goa captain Iker Guarrotxena was expelled from the game after receiving a red card in the tunnel.
Both teams were waiting when Guarrotxena appeared to engage in a heated exchange with the referee. The referee suddenly produced a red card and instructed him to leave.
Sources revealed that the issue arose from the colour of Guarrotxena’s undershirt. The T-shirt he wore beneath his jersey resembled the colour of the opposition’s kit, which violates competition rules. When asked to change it, he refused. The argument escalated, and the referee issued a direct red card.
After the match, Goa’s coach Manolo Márquez said he was shocked by the decision. He initially thought the situation would be easily settled but later discovered that his captain had been sent off and would miss the final. A player mentioned that he had never experienced such an incident before.
According to regulations, if a player is sent off before the start of the match, a replacement is permitted. Therefore, Spanish attacker Javier Siverio was brought into the line-up.
Goa claimed a 2–1 win to advance to the final, where they will face East Bengal on রবিবার. East Bengal had defeated Punjab 3–1 in the opening semi-final.
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