After plenty anticipation, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is in full swing in Australia and New Zealand, and it has been nothing but drama and adrenaline-filled action with goals, saves, tackles and of course bookings.
Speaking of bookings, the Mundial has grabbed attention for the red cards that have been dished out. In the space of four days, three red cards were awarded.
The first one went to Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun during the Group B clash with Canada in Melbourne. The Rivers Angels midfielder was having a stellar game until she was booked for a foul on full-back Ashley Lawrence.
Centre referee Lina Lehtovaara had initially given Abiodun a yellow card but after a check on the pitch side VAR monitor upgraded it to a red card.
The #SuperFalcons might have earned a point against Canada in their opening 2023 #FIFAWWC game, there is however a lot to be done if they want to go far in Australia and New Zealand.#Afrosport #Nigeria #Canada #NGACAN #BeyondGreatnesshttps://t.co/35QmUwA5i5
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 21, 2023
The second red card was given to Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda in the 5-0 bashing by Japan.
Musonda was first awarded a yellow card in the 51st minute for a needless foul when racing off her line before receiving her second booking, deep in added time for almost the same offence.
Full-time: Zambia ???????? 0-5 Japan ????????
Riko Ueki wraps up the victory in Hamilton after goalkeeper Musonda was shown a straight red card in the last minute of the game.
Nightmare for Shepolopolo #Afrosport #FIFAWWC #ZAMJPN #Zambia #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/BfXUDZQ7ys
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 22, 2023
The third red card was in the game between France and Jamaica. The Reggae Girlz did a good job in keeping Les Bleues silent but were let down when skipper Khadija Shaw received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on French captain Wendie Renard.
Shaw is Jamaica’s star player and losing her was a bad taste to the historic first point the Caribbean nation earned at the Women’s World Cup.
#Jamaica earn their 1st ever point at the FIFA Women's World Cup with a 0-0 draw against #France.
The game ended on a sour note as captain Khadija Shaw was sent off in added time. Still a gallant effort from the Reggae Girlz.????????????#Afrosport #FRAJAM #FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/25P80TntGd
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 23, 2023
Having three black players sent off in such a small space of time has not gone down well with African audiences. Some fans believe there is a conspiracy at play in trying to undermine players of African descent who largely have inexperience at the World Cup with the exception of Nigeria who have been to every tournament. Abiodun and Musonda are having their maiden outings while it is a second outing for Shaw after appearing at the 2019 edition in France.
A closer look at each player’s offence showed they deserved to be sent off.
Abiodun’s challenge was unnecessary, reckless and dangerous. Perhaps it says a lot about her inexperience as she is just 19 years of age. She has since apologised to fans for the card and will definitely grow better and stronger with more games under her belt.
In the case of Musonda, it was totally uncalled for if she was more composed. Getting sent off at 4-0 down in the seventh minute of added time is simply unprofessional.
For Shaw’s expulsion, the tackle was equally mistimed, reckless and unnecessary. A player of her experience and calibre should know better on the biggest stage and only has herself to blame.
At the end of the day, these red cards were justified and there should be no argument about it. Although there is some perceived injustice such as referee Lehtovaara failing to give Canada’s Evelyne Viens a red card for stamping Osinachi Ohale moments after Abiodun was sent off or Lawrence’s tug on Uchenna Kanu who was goal bound.
African teams have played their first matches at the #FIFAWWC
Nigeria 0-0 Canada
Zambia 0-5 Japan
Sweden 2-1 South Africa
Germany 6-0 MoroccoOnly the Super Falcons ???????? are yet to concede and lose a game in Australia and New Zealand.#Afrosport #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/J48hc6eWQb
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 24, 2023
It’s hard to remove such conspiracy because there is always perceived bias when it comes to officiating and it remains one of the hottest topics in football, even with the advancement of video replay and other technologies.
Regardless, it does not change the fact when the outcome is given. In the case of Abiodun, Musonda and Shaw, they all deserved their red cards.
Rather than bemoan injustice from officiating in Australia and New Zealand which in reality has been fair so far, black and African players should be doing better in trying not to go into the referee’s book.
A reckless challenge draws such attention. A clean challenge will avoid attention.
Super Falcons midfielder, Deborah Abiodun has apologised for the Red card she received against Canada.#FIFAWWC #SuperFalcons #BeyondGreatness #AfrosportTV pic.twitter.com/E8eJ8Oce2p
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 25, 2023
That’s the kind of attitude they should be embracing. African players already face the big challenge of being put in tough groups which makes it difficult to navigate.
The least they can do is to keep things clean so they have a tournament to remember where they gave their all and made their countries proud even if they were beaten by a heavy scoreline. That is more honourable than being in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
