Barcelona forward Raphinha addressed his dismissal during Brazil’s friendly match against Japan on Saturday evening.
The 29-year-old player was sent off following a heated confrontation with referee Chuan Hui Jansen Foo in the final moments of the 3-2 defeat, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Despite being removed from the match by Carlo Ancelotti during the second half, Raphinha received a red card after the game concluded.
Speaking to the media after the match, the player expressed regret for his conduct while pointing toward frustrations with the officiating crew.
Raphinha stated, “I want to apologise for my sending-off, but it’s hard to keep your cool after seeing so many mistakes by the referee.”
The forward claimed he attempted to engage with the official throughout the contest to discuss several controversial calls.
He specifically cited a missed foul leading to Japan’s opening goal and a denied penalty claim as primary sources of his frustration, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Raphinha also suggested that a clear foul on teammate Joao was overlooked by the referee prior to Japan scoring their third goal of the match.
The player noted that the official was difficult to communicate with throughout the duration of the international friendly.
The defeat marked a difficult day for the five-time world champions as they struggled to overcome the Japanese side.
The incident has drawn attention to the standard of officiating in the match as the player attempts to explain his reaction to the media.
The match was part of a series of international fixtures involving high-profile talent from European clubs.
The player’s comments reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the officiating decisions that impacted the final scoreline of the game.
Brazil now looks to regroup following the loss while the details surrounding the disciplinary action continue to circulate.
The player remains focused on his responsibilities with his club team following the conclusion of his international duties.