World Cup 2026: Broos asks ‘what is the difference?’ after controversial Sundowns star red card

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has hit out at the decision to send off Themba Zwane and handed him a three-match suspension.

The Belgian tactician questioned the inconsistency in officiating after Lionel Messi escaped punishment for a similar challenge during Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria.

Zwane was dismissed following a VAR review in the 84th minute of South Africa’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on 11 June.

The 36-year-old was judged to have illegally raised his arm against Mexico defender Roberto Alvarado while Bafana were on the attack. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee subsequently classified the incident as serious foul play, upgrading the standard one-match ban to a three-match suspension .

The punishment effectively rules Zwane out of the entire group stage, a decision Broos described as far too harsh — particularly in light of what happened during Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria on Monday.

In that match, Messi caught Algeria captain Aissa Mandi with a studs-on-calf challenge in the 31st minute. Referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a foul but did not show a card, and VAR chose not to intervene. Messi remained on the pitch and went on to score a hat trick.

Broos compares Zwane incident to Messi challenge

Speaking on the eve of Bafana Bafana’s second Group A fixture against Czechia in Atlanta, Broos was unequivocal in his frustration.

“The red card is too severe. I watched the situation back with Themba and I didn’t think it was a red card,” Broos said. “When I compare it to what happened yesterday with Messi, I certainly don’t agree. I don’t think there was even a VAR review with Messi, whereas this incident was reviewed.

“When you look at the situation, the Mexican player blocks my player. He’s not looking at the ball, he’s just holding Themba. Themba tries to get over him and puts his arm over his shoulder, and for that you get a red card and a three-match suspension? I’m sorry, but it’s much too severe.

“I don’t want Messi to get a red card. A player like that has to be on the pitch. We all saw what a wonderful player he is. So what is the difference then?”

‘Sometimes you have to lie’

The Belgian coach also admitted he had softened his public assessment of the defeat to Mexico to protect his players, but suggested he would not be as diplomatic ahead of the Czechia clash.

“I’m frustrated by it, certainly. Themba got a three-match suspension and our situation is clear: if tomorrow you don’t win, the last game against South Korea is for nothing, and we have to avoid that,” he said.

“We know the mistakes we made in the first game. Some people said the coach was too soft, but I don’t like to blame my players in front of the cameras. Sometimes you have to lie — that’s what I did. I know what went wrong against Mexico. If we can improve, certainly when we have the ball, then we can improve a lot.”

Zwane’s absence is compounded by the suspension of Sphephelo Sithole, who was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in the 50th minute of the Mexico defeat.

Both players miss the Czechia match, with Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha expected to come into contention.

Bafana Bafana face Czechia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday at 18:00 South African time. Fans can follow the action via the World Cup live streaming guide .