Controversy erupted from the opening match of the football World Cup, and it was Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio who set it off. He drew criticism on Thursday night by showing three red cards in the tournament’s first match, between South Africa and Mexico.
Sampaio, 44, is a familiar name in international football. He has officiated as a FIFA referee for more than a decade and is regarded as one of Latin America’s finest. He began handling top-flight matches in Brazil in 2009 and received his FIFA badge in 2013.
FIFA assigned Sampaio to take charge of this World Cup’s opening match. He has officiated at the past two World Cups and has also handled major international tournaments including the Copa America. He took charge of the England-France quarterfinal in Qatar, where some of his decisions also drew questions. Sampaio has faced accusations of showing too many cards, and controversy is rarely far from him.
In Thursday night’s match, Sampaio showed the first red card in the 65th minute, a decision that went unquestioned. Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez was close to scoring when he was fouled from behind by Iyad Sithole, who was then sent off.
In the 85th minute, South Africa’s Thembu Zwane was shown a red card for a challenge on Mexico’s Arvarado while trying to clear a ball. The referee took no action at first. After a VAR review, he went to the pitchside monitor to watch the replay, and announced his decision immediately afterward. Zwane was sent off, leaving South Africa’s side down to nine men.
The match’s final red card went to Mexico captain Cesar Montes, who brought down South Africa’s Mudau.
It was the first time so many red cards had been shown in a single World Cup match since the Portugal-Netherlands game at the 2006 World Cup.
Beyond the red cards, Sampaio’s stern demeanor and hard expressions also drew comment. Images of him went viral on social media partway through the match, with many making memes and trolling him.
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