Receiving a red card is one of the worst things that can happen to a football player. Not only will you be unable to take part in the match any further, but your team will be down to 10 players and forced to play the rest of the match time at a significant disadvantage.

I believe that there’s no player who commits a foul with malicious intent which would result a red card. In most cases, a player trying to win the ball has too much momentum and kicks an opponent.

When a player is shown a red card, they frequently become distraught and try to convince the referee to reverse their decision by stating things like, “I was just trying to play the ball.” Then his teammates join in and surround the referee, which is a common scene in Japanese football.

It doesn’t take much to realise that nothing a player says can change the decision, especially in matches with Video Assistant Referee (VAR), such as the current J1 League. The play will be reviewed when the referee issues a red card, or even when the referee decides not to issue one, but the VAR suggest that a red card is warranted, so anything the player says will have no effect on the outcome. However, even after the final decision is made by the referee with VAR assistance,, we still see a number of players protest it. I understand their frustration, but as a mature human being you need to have the composure to accept what you cannot change.

There was an impressive scene during a J1 match between Urawa Red Diamonds and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on 15 April.

In a match in which Sapporo had a player sent off during the first half, Urawa managed to break the deadlock midway through the second half and were going on the offensive to extend their lead. Sapporo goalkeeper GU Sung-yun was about to kick the ball out of the box when Urawa’s forward Jose KANTE, who had just entered the match as a substitute, rushed in toward him.　Kante's right foot caught Gu's right foot immediately after the goalkeeper kicked the ball, causing Gu to fall down with a thud.

Referee MIKURIYA Takafumi promptly blew his whistle, showed Kante a yellow card, and then called for Sapporo's medical staff. While Gu was being treated, Mr. Mikuriya exchanged words with Kante, who looked to be convinced and walked to Gu to show his concern for him.

At this moment, Mr. Mikuriya ran to the monitor off the pitch, signalling for a VAR check. After reviewing the play two or three times, he returned to the pitch, cancelled the yellow card and showed Kante a red card.

To everyone’s surprise, Kante approached Mr. Mikuriya slowly, extended his right hand for a handshake and walked off the pitch.

There was no room for objection because it was a red card issued following a VAR check, but in the J. League, I have never seen a player shaking hands with the referee after having been sent off. The match opened up following this sent off, and Urawa ultimately won 4-1, but more than the game itself, Kante’s dignity left strong impression on me.

A few days later, I read an article on a football news website where Kante was asked about this incident, and that's when it all became clear to me.

“Immediately after the play, I honestly thought it was not a red card, but when I saw the replay (on the stadium's video screen), I realised that it was indeed a dangerous play, so I told the referee that he made the correct decision.” (Gekisaka, 20 April 2023)

Receiving a red card would be like a nightmare for a player. But he admitted his fault and conveyed it to the referee by shaking hands. He showed his nobility as a human being, as well as his professionalism as a player.

Kante, a Spanish-born striker representing the Guinea National Team, transferred to Urawa in March of this year. Despite the fact that he has been away from playing matches for a long time and is still working to regain his match fitness, the character he displayed in this match will undoubtedly earn him the respect of those around him, and I believe that he can take on a leading role for Urawa in the second half of this season.

Written by OSUMI Yoshiyuki (Football Journalist)

*This article was originally posted on the Japan Football Association Newsletter, “JFAnews,” May 2023 edition.

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