Raphinha, the Barcelona and Brazil star, launched a scathing attack on the referee of the friendly match in which his national team lost to Japan 3-2 this Saturday morning, considering that the refereeing errors clearly affected the course of the game.
With Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout, Raphinha and the Brazil head coach were both sent off after protesting the referee's decisions in the wake of Japan's third goal.
Raphinha said, in comments to the "Globo" network after the match: "Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to apologise for the sending off. It is difficult to control yourself in such situations, especially with the many mistakes the referee made."
"I tried to talk to him, but I did not feel he was open to dialogue," he added. "I think he made many mistakes during the match, and I will try to believe they were just mistakes, but what happened is unacceptable."
The Barcelona star went further: "There was a foul before the first goal, and the player also touched the ball with his hand, but that can be understood according to the current rules. There was also a clear penalty in my favour, and then their third goal came."
He explained: "There was a very clear foul against Joao, but the referee decided to let play continue, and with the help of VAR technology, the goal was awarded."
"We tried to give our best from the start of the match, without ignoring the things we need to improve," Raphinha continued. "We are developing and we are starting to find ourselves on the pitch."
"From my point of view, we put in a great performance, and our display in the second half was much better than what we produced in the first half, but when you also have to play against the referee, things become difficult," he said.
He signed off with a warning: "We cannot let what happened with the officiating pass without a clear stance."
Japan raced two goals clear inside 19 minutes. Vinicius Junior pulled one back in the 33rd minute before levelling things up with his second in the 75th.
Sakamoto had the final word. His stoppage-time strike sealed the win for the Asian side.
I began my journey in journalism in 2012 through the Egyptian newspaper Al Tahrir, where I initially specialized in local politics before shifting my focus to sports in 2014, continuing with the same outlet. I later moved on to write for Al Fareeq and Al Maqal newspapers.
After specializing in covering domestic football in Egypt, I expanded into international football in 2018 through Al Ain Sports, where I worked for six months. I then fulfilled a long-held ambition by joining the team at Kooora, the largest sports website globally, allowing me to continue pursuing my passion for European football that has grown since the early 2000s.
My passion for global football dates back to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but my true love for European football began with following the UEFA Champions League at the turn of the century. This, in turn, drew me particularly to Italian football, especially AC Milan—a club I chose to support instinctively after watching my very first match. Despite admiring teams like Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester United at various points during my youth, the Rossoneri have held a special place in my heart ever since.
I specialize in translating international sports news, a role that aligns with my passion for following transfer developments and uncovering behind-the-scenes stories within team dressing rooms, as reported by global media outlets.
As for my all-time favorite lineup, I would place Gianluigi Buffon in goal, supported by a back four of Roberto Carlos, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, and Cafu. In midfield, I rely on Clarence Seedorf, Luka Modrić, and Zinedine Zidane, while in attack I would feature my all-time idol Ricardo Kaká alongside Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
During my time at Kooora, I have published numerous reports, features, and analyses, most notably:
- Luka Modrić… The warrior who refused to play in his name
- Rodrygo… From Remontada kid to the mysterious man in Alonso’s project
- Kroos… The ever-present absentee in the Club World Cup
- Kooora Story: Ronaldo’s surprise that ignited Ferguson’s enthusiasm
