Real Betis winger Antony has revealed he has been struggling to sleep after receiving a straight red card during his team’s 1-1 draw against Girona on Sunday.

The former Manchester United forward attempted an overhead kick in the closing minutes of the match, but his boot struck Girona’s Joel Roca in the face. VAR reviewed the incident and advised the referee to show a direct red card.

Since joining Betis permanently after a loan spell, Antony has impressed with six goals and two assists in 12 appearances, a sharp contrast to his difficult spell at Manchester United, where he managed only 12 goals in 96 games following his £85.5m transfer in 2022.

Speaking after the match, Antony insisted he meant no harm and confirmed that Real Betis will appeal the decision.

“I had no intention. When I went for the overhead kick, I was looking at the ball and didn’t see him,”
the Brazilian said.
“It was very hard to sleep. I stayed up all night thinking about it.”

Antony was visibly emotional as he apologised to the Girona fans, placing his hands together in a praying gesture before leaving the pitch.

The suspension could see him miss this weekend’s highly anticipated Seville derby at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. However, the winger remains hopeful:

“We have to try [to appeal]. I know how important this game is and I want to play it.”

If the appeal fails, Betis could be without one of their in-form players for one of their biggest fixtures of the season.