Online Reporter
ARGENTINA’S Enzo Fernandez on Sunday joined the hall of shame of those players sent-off in a FIFA World Cup final.
Fernandez’s sending off also gave Argentina an unwanted record as the country to have had the most red cards in World Cup final history.
AFP SPORT LISTS THE
PREVIOUS QUINTET:
1990
PEDRO MONZON (ARG)
He had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes — replacing Argentinian hardman defender Oscar Ruggeri — when his high tackle on West German striker Jurgen Klinsmann resulted in a red card.
Klinsmann was renowned for extravagant swan dives but even that reputation did not save Monzon from making history of the wrong kind — the first man to be sent off in a final.
GUSTAVO DEZOTTI (ARG)
Monzon was probably just drying himself off after his early shower when teammate Dezotti trudged from the pitch for a second booking after barging into Jurgen Kohler.
1998
MARCEL DESAILLY (FRA)
In the ecstasy of France’s first ever World Cup triumph — lit up by Zinedine Zidane’s double — the French great’s sending off is often forgotten.
Brazilian Cafu was to be his nemesis, Desailly booked in the 49th minute for dissent after he disagreed with the referee that he had fouled the defender. A foul on the same player resulted in a second booking and leaving his side to defend a 2-0 lead but a man down for over 20 minutes.
He was on the list to be drug tested but recalled: “I said, ‘No, I cannot be locked away!’
“I could not be in a room with no TV, not knowing what is going on, thinking the whole country is going to knock on the door because it is my fault they lost the World Cup!
“I had the fear, big time.
I was angry and I made a bit of a scene. “I barged my way out and watched the match, but that stress… finally, we won 3-0.” — AFP.
