South Africa coach rips Zwane's three-match World Cup ban

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South Africa coach rips Zwane's three-match World Cup ban

South Africa coach rips Zwane's three-match World Cup ban

Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Wed, Jun 17, 2026 ·

2 min read

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ATLANTA ― South Africa coach Hugo Broos openly panned a three-match ban that midfielder Themba Zwane received following a red card he picked up against Mexico.

"I think that the red card is too severe," Broos said on Wednesday ahead of a June 18 match against Czechia in Atlanta (noon ET, FOX).

On June 11, in the 84th minute of South Africa 's match against Mexico , Zwane caught Roberto Alvarado with a slap across the face as he was running past. Zwane immediately received a red card, South Africa's second of the match. The team was already without Yaya Sithole, who also received a red card for a rugby-style tackle on Mexico's Brian Gutiérrez in the 49th minute.

"I don't think it was a red card when I see what happened yesterday with [Lionel] Messi . I don't agree, certainly not. I think there was not even a VAR with Messi," Broos later added. "When you see the situation, the Mexican player blocked my player … When you get the red card for that, and then a three-game suspension. I'm sorry, but this is much, much too severe."

Mexico's Julian Quinones scores the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

(Kai Pfaffenbach, REUTERS)

South Africa's midfielder Sphephelo Sithole and Mexico's midfielder Erik Lira fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
(YURI CORTEZ, AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa's Teboho Mokoena is shown a yellow card by referee Wilton Sampaio during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
(Kai Pfaffenbach, REUTERS)

South Africa's forward Iqraam Rayners and Mexico's defender Johan Vasquez fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
(YURI CORTEZ, AFP via Getty Images)

In Broos's frustration over Zwane's red card suspension, he referenced a moment during Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday where Lionel Messi made contact with the lower leg and Achilles tendon of Algeria n captain Aissa Mandi. The play was not reviewed, and Messi did not receive a yellow or red card. Instead, Algeria was awarded a free kick.

Typically, a red card would warrant a single-match suspension by the FIFA disciplinary committee. However, Zwane's red card was considered foul play, and his ban was extended. Broos told reporters on-site Wednesday that South Africa will appeal Zwane's ban.

"The ‌second red card we can discuss," Broos said June 11. "It was the Mexican player who was blocking my player. But it's the position of the referee, and we have to accept it also, but I think it was too soft ⁠to give that as a red card."