Rafael Leao sent off for violent conduct during Portugal’s friendly
Rafael Leao was dismissed for violent conduct during Portugal’s friendly against Chile on Saturday evening after footage appeared to show him striking Ivan Roman in the face, reports BritPanorama.
The AC Milan forward became embroiled in a confrontation with the Chilean defender shortly before half-time at Lisbon’s Jamor Stadium. Following a VAR review, Italian referee Giovanni Baccini brandished red cards to both players, reducing each side to ten men for the remainder of the match.
Even an intervention from Cristiano Ronaldo, who attempted to reason with the official, failed to overturn the decision against his teammate. The situation escalated when Joao Cancelo made a robust challenge on a Chilean player, prompting Roman to confront him.
Leao rushed to his teammate’s defence, pushing Roman before the altercation intensified. The Chilean then fell to the ground in what Portuguese players perceived as theatrical fashion, further inflaming tensions. Multiple players from both teams converged on the scene, necessitating the referee to restore order before sending off both Leao and Roman with the match still goalless at the interval.
Leao, who turns 27 this year, confirmed his intention to depart AC Milan in an interview last weekend, having spent seven seasons at the San Siro. “I think I gave Milan everything I could give,” he stated. “It is a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through difficult moments. I am happy to have left my mark on the club’s history.”
The Portuguese winger has registered 80 goals and 65 assists in 291 appearances for the Italian club, and Milan have set an asking price of £43 million for him, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly interested in securing his signature this summer.
The dismissal for violent conduct could carry significant consequences beyond Saturday’s friendly. While red cards in warm-up matches typically result in suspensions limited to further friendlies, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee can extend bans to official competitions when violent conduct is involved.
If FIFA opts to take action, Leao risks being sidelined for Portugal’s opening fixtures in the upcoming World Cup, which commences on 11 June. Portugal’s Group K opener is against DR Congo on 17 June, followed by matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia. As of now, Roberto Martinez’s squad must await the official post-match report and any subsequent disciplinary review.
In the world of international football, moments like these are both unpredictable and telling — where the tension of tournament readiness can lead to volatile episodes. How a player reacts under pressure often echoes far beyond the pitch, making Leao’s actions a topic of considerable scrutiny as Portugal heads into a pivotal World Cup.
