Managers respond to Ronaldo’s red card did I get inside his head
Portugal’s national team manager, Roberto Martinez, recently addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial red card incident during a match. Martinez defended Ronaldo while expressing discontent over comments made by Iceland’s coach, Arnar Hallgrimsson, ahead of the game.
Martinez Defends Ronaldo’s Actions
Martinez stated that Ronaldo’s red card was unwarranted, emphasizing the captain’s discipline over his 226 games without a send-off. He referred to the card as “a bit harsh” considering Ronaldo’s dedication to the team.
“He was in the box for nearly an hour, being physically challenged,” Martinez noted. He explained that the action leading to the red card appeared worse than it was, clarifying that it was not an elbow but rather a full-body movement. However, he acknowledged that camera angles can be misleading.
Concerns About Referee Influence
Martinez expressed his frustration regarding Hallgrimsson’s remarks about referee influences, which he felt impacted the match’s officiating. He highlighted that the dramatic fall of a central defender at the moment Ronaldo turned his body raised questions about officiating integrity.
Key Takeaways
- Roberto Martinez defends Cristiano Ronaldo’s character.
- Ronaldo was previously sent off only once in 226 games.
- Martinez believes the red card decision was excessive.
- Comments from Iceland’s coach regarding referee influence were criticized.
This incident underscores the tensions between managers in international football and raises questions about the impact of coaching comments on match officiating.
