How wasn’t this a red card?
Italy captain Sara Gama somehow escaped a red card for a brutal challenge on France star Grace Geyoro during the two sides’ Euros clash on Sunday.
France ran riot against Milena Bertolini’s side at Rotherham’s AESSEAL New York Stadium, securing a comfortable 5-1 victory thanks to a hat-trick from Geyoro and strikes from Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino.
Corinne Diacre’s side – who are ranked third in the world – were dominant from start to finish and controlled the majority of possession, creating a number of chances throughout the match.
Although France were in control in the first period, they failed to find the net in the second half and conceded late on after substitute Martina Piemonte grabbed a consolation goal.
However, Diacre’s team will feel like they should’ve been playing against 10 players for some of the second period, rather than 11.
France midfielder Geyoro managed to get on the end of a long pass and touch the ball past Gama, only for the Italy skipper to smash into her – with her knee appearing to catch the PSG star in the face.
Italy captain Sara Gama was initially shown a red card for this challenge but VAR overturned the decision.
Correct?
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— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 10, 2022
The referee initially showed Gama a red card, but after a brief VAR check, the official made the decision to overturn the red and show her a yellow card instead.
How did social media react?
One Twitter user said: “I’ve actually seen a red card in a Women’s football match ,you need to commit literal murder for that to happen.Sara Gama was very high on Geyoro she actually had three bites there but as I type it’s been changed to a yellow I actually think it was the right decision first of all”.
I’ve actually seen a red card in a Women’s football match ,you need to commit literal murder for that to happen.Sara Gama was very high on Geyoro she actually had three bites there but as I type it’s been changed to a yellow I actually think it was the right decision first of all
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) July 10, 2022
A second person added: “The second half has been quiet but Sara Gama with an unintentional horror challenge on Grace Geyoro just now & it just gets worse for Italy. She gets away with a yellow after VAR and that is…defensible. She’s very lucky indeed though.”
The second half has been quiet but Sara Gama with an unintentional horror challenge on Grace Geyoro just now & it just gets worse for Italy.
She gets away with a yellow after VAR and that is…defensible. She's very lucky indeed though.— Paul Wheeler (@paulwradio) July 10, 2022
Another added: “I’m an Italy fan through and through but that Sara Gama tackle was a red card ALL DAY LONG! How did VAR advise the referee to reverse her decision???”
I’m an Italy fan through and through but that Sara Gama tackle was a red card ALL DAY LONG! How did VAR advise the referee to reverse her decision??? #FRA #ITA #WEURO2022
— Abdullah Bashiti (@bashroom) July 10, 2022
A fourth noted: “Don’t want to be too negative but Sara Gama has just had one of the worst individual performances I have ever seen in a major tournament.”
https://twitter.com/EribertVolaj/status/1546228725246791680
Another stated: “Not Sara Gama’s finest moment.”
Not Sara Gama's finest moment.
— Black & White & Read All Over (@JuventusNation) July 10, 2022
France face off against Belgium in Group D on Thursday, with Italy going up against Iceland on the same day.
Related links:
- Iceland fans praised for creating incredible atmosphere during Belgium clash
- England women’s squad will not change colour of shorts during Euros despite period concerns
- Twitter reacts to obvious technical error on BBC’s coverage of Euro’s opener
