The fiery final minutes of the HIFK–Ilves match are telling – “The red card went to the wrong man”, says Mixu Paatelainen

In the men’s football league match between HIFK and Ilves, emotions ran high on Monday evening. In the last moments of the extra time of the match, HIFK’s goalkeeper Beto got a straight red card.

Beto ran to get the ball that went over the sideline. He jumped into the situation with a foot high and knocked down the topper who was in Ilves’ substitution Kalle Katz’s, who had reached the spot and caught the ball in his lap. HIFK’s midfielder was also involved in the situation Sergei Eremenkowho also tackled Katz.

HIFK’s head coach, who was suspended as an official during the match Mixu Paatelainen dissented from the split judgment.

– Clearly, the red card went to the wrong man. Beto received a red card, but in the situation Beto does not touch Ilves’ team member at all, comments Paatelainen.

According to Paatelainen, Beto did not commit a foul in the situation and the goal of the HIFK players was only to get the ball back into the game quickly.

– Beto did not make any mistake in that and it is clearly visible on the TV and everyone can interpret it themselves.

After the situation, Beto got hot and stayed on the side of the field shouting for a long time.

The goalkeeper has received 43 yellow cards and three reds during his career. Beto, 40, has played for the Portuguese national team and in Europe’s top leagues, including for Sevilla and Porto.

Topper Katz, who was replaced from the field in the first half due to an injury, explained the situation to Urheilu. Katz was not injured in the incident.

– Then the ball bounced outside the sideline, and two players came near me. Then the referee made his decision and gave a card for it and the game continued.

– It’s part of the game that sometimes emotions get a little out, and the judge made his decision. Everyone can then have their own opinion, whether they were right or wrong, Katz continued.

In addition to Beto’s red card, another red card and seven yellow cards were handed out in the match. A moment earlier HIFK’s Jani Bäckman and Ilves Don Arifi clashed in midfield.

Paatelainen did not comment on whether the team’s weak season might affect the players’ performances.

– The situation happened in extra time. We wanted to get an equalizer in the game, and the players were motivated to do so.

HIFK is last in the football league standings and Ilves is fourth. HIFK has said several times throughout the season that they are in financial difficulties and the completion of the season has been threatened.