World Cup 2026: Three red cards – are referees getting tough?

The appointment of Pierluigi Collina as the new referee president of Fifa in 2017 was a harbinger of a very different era.

Collina often addresses how decisions should serve as fairness for both teams.

Players must remain on the field unless they have actually done something to deserve a red card.

For example, under his management, the law regarding denying a goal-scoring opportunity (Dogso) when a penalty was awarded was greatly relaxed. It is very difficult to get a red card now.

So it should come as no surprise that he has received just four red cards since taking over at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Refereeing at the start of a tournament often seems to set the tone. Do we need to draw any conclusions from this match?

In his pre-tournament briefing, the Italian focused on wasted time and general player behavior.

There was no mention of harsh stands that would lead to a huge increase in red cards.

Sometimes red cards are simply justified. Most of them anyway.

It was a simple decision for referee Wilton Sampaio to dismiss Sithole for a foul on Brian Gutierrez.

The Mexican attacking midfielder found the goal. Sithole may not have wanted to take him down, but he did. There is no doubt that the South African denied his opponent an obvious scoring opportunity.

The second dismissal, given to Zwane during a video assistant referee review for violent conduct, was much more controversial.

While Zwane was struggling with Roberto Alvarado, the Mexican player fell to the ground holding his head.

It appeared to be a huddle off the ball, but the referee, Colombian Nicolas Gallo, was sent to the pitchside screen by the video assistant referee (VAR).

It was difficult to understand what had happened as Sampaio was shown replays on the monitor.

Was there really a hand on the head? If so, was it coincidence or did he wave his arm?

When assessing violent behavior, VARs are told to look for a clenched fist as a sign of aggression. This does not have to happen, but it is an indicator.

Zwane appeared to connect with an open hand, not a closed hand, to the side of Alvarado’s head.

It seems extremely harsh and not the kind of clear-cut decision that VAR is recommending.

Or maybe this was exactly the sort of thing Collina told his referees and VARs to watch out for, and it fell into the category of bad player behavior.

Collina issued red cards to players who covered their mouths during clashes and players who left the field to protest a decision. He also wants goals not to be allowed because of blocks from set pieces.

Perhaps Zwane’s actions fall into such a category; It’s a way for Collina to try to reduce the dark arts in the game.