Douglas Luiz’s red card during the Tokyo Olympics clash between Brazil and Ivory Coast has got fans talking online, with some calling the VAR decision ‘the worst ever’.
Aston Villa midfielder Luiz received his marching orders just 14 minutes into the Group D match on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was adjudged to have committed a foul on an Ivory Coast forward, who ran through on goal.
The match referee brandished a yellow card despite minimal contact between the two players.
However, he changed his decision following a controversial VAR review – sending off Luiz after re-watching the incident.
Can someone tell me how Douglas Luiz has been sent off for this? pic.twitter.com/bCIICoM4vM
— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) July 25, 2021
Douglas Luiz é expulso logo aos 13 minutos de partida, após revisão do VAR. https://t.co/kv7NEFtE8X
— Gustavo Guerra (@gustavohpguerra) July 25, 2021
Needless to say, fans on social media couldn’t believe Luiz’s red card, slamming the decision to send him off.
That Douglas Luiz red card at the Olympics is without a doubt the worst VAR call I’ve ever, ever seen.
Absolutely unbelievable.
— Tom Parker (@ThomasTParker) July 25, 2021
Douglas Luiz is sent off for Brazil. No way its a red card btw. Very harsh indeed. #avfc | #utv | #vtid
— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) July 25, 2021
One tweeted: “Even worse how VAR overturned the original yellow card for a straight red.”
A second wrote: “This is absolutely nonsense…. I was even surprised of the Red card the referee gave.”
A third added: “That is an absolute disgraceful decision?!! I mean wtf?!!”
Brazil vs. Ivory Coast ended goalless, with both teams on four points ahead of their final group game fixture.