An incredibly rare incident occurred in FC Goa’s Super Cup semi-final against Mumbai City FC on December 4, as captain Iker Guarrotxena was shown a straight red card before the match even began.
Idman.Biz reports that the incident unfolded in the players’ tunnel when the referee, Pratik Mondal, took issue with Guarrotxena’s inner shorts, which reportedly clashed with both teams’ kits. The Spaniard’s reaction was deemed dissent, prompting the unusual pre-match red card.
Despite the chaos, FC Goa were allowed to replace Guarrotxena with Javier Siverio, enabling the team to start the match with a full eleven. Borja Herrera took over the captain’s armband for the game. FC Goa eventually secured a 2-1 victory, with first-half goals from Brison Fernandes and David Timor sending them to the final against East Bengal. Head coach Manolo Marquez called the red card “excessive” but praised the team’s ability to stay focused amid the pre-match confusion.
The incident is regarded as one of the rarest in football history, highlighting strict adherence to match regulations and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
