Zambian referee reveals why he did not send off Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos in Club World Cup final
Official appeared to bottle sending off the Spaniard in the final of Club World Cup final
ZAMBIAN referee Janny Sikazwe has revealed why Sergio Ramos avoided a red card in the Fifa Club World Cup final – claiming it was due to “miscommunication”.
The Real Madrid defender was already on a booking when in the final moments of normal time he fouled a Kashima Antlers attacker to stop a counter-attack.
It was a clear yellow card offence, and it appeared that the Spaniard was set to receive his marching orders.
Sikazwe reached into his pocket for a good few seconds, but he eventually pulled out his hand minus a card, allowing Ramos to last the rest of the game.
The controversial decision drew ridicule from football fans and Kashima boss Masatada Ishii.
He said: “It was a miscommunication.
“It was only for a miscommunication between my assistant and me.
“He told me of the foul and told me in the earpiece that ‘no card’ However, I understood ‘card’.”
Real Madrid went on to win the game in extra-time 4-2, as Ronaldo helped himself to a hat-trick and yet more silverware.