Barcelona defender Sergino Dest lost his cool while playing for USA in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final. He was sent off with two yellow cards within 30 seconds in the 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago. The incident happened in the 39th minute when his side was leading 1-0 over Trinidad and Tobago.
The 23-year-old insisted that he had kept the ball in play but the referee awarded a throw to the hosts. Sergino Dest booted the ball away in a fit of rage. He also shouted at the referee while covering his mouth. Eventually, Dest was sent off with two yellow cards in the 39th minute.
The right-back even misbehaved again after receiving the second yellow. Barcelona defender blew referee a kiss, an action which was not appreciated by even his teammates.
Dest’s US teammate Tim Ream came over to shout at him. Matt Turner also got involved in it and he came over to have a go at it while he trudged off the pitch. Dest had an argument with Nottingham Forest’s goalkeeper. The right-back left the ground as Turner pushed him over the sideline. During the game, the co-commentator said: “What on earth was he thinking? Dest shows an incredible momentary lapse of reason right there. It’s inexplicable!“
The whole incident changed the course of the game as Trinbago and Tobago came from behind to beat USA by 2-1.
After completing the game, Ream said, “Not too many things I can say here publicly that we said privately. It’s a complete lack of respect for the guys that are playing, for the guys that are on the bench. It´s a lack of respect for the game itself, for the referees.”
USA coach Gregg Berhalter also confirmed that Dest apologised to his team-mates. He said, “It is concerning because that’s not what we represent, that’s not who we are as a group.” Dest will now be suspended for the Nations League semi-final which is scheduled in March. Last season, the Barca defender missed the Nations League final after receiving a red card and a three-game ban for scuffling in the semi-final.
