Antony’s red card vs Gefate rescinded by LaLiga in boost to Real Betis ahead of Real Madrid showdown

Real Betis loanee Antony will no longer be suspended for Saturday’s clash with Real Madrid in La Liga after the red card he received during Sunday’s win away at Getafe was rescinded.

Antony made a brilliant start to life in Spain after joining Betis Manchester United on loan from Man United in January.

The game at Getafe marked his sixth start in a row for his new team and he set up Isco’s opening goal to make it three goals and two assists in those matches.

However, his evening ended on a sour note when was sent off in the 94th minute of his side’s 2-1 victory for recklessly lunging to clip Juan Iglesias’ heels from behind as the Getafe played the ball back to his own keeper.

Antony immediately tried to plead his innocence by waving a finger in the referee’s direction but Javier Alberola Rojas swiftly removed the red card from his back pocket and raised it above the Brazilian.

The commentator covering the match for Premier Sports described the tackle as ‘reckless’ and ‘completely unnecessary’, calling it a ‘heads gone moment’.

The Brazilian, on loan from Man United, flew into a wild challenge on Getafe’s Juan Iglesias

However, LaLiga’s Disciplinary Committee did not see it that way and have overturned the red card following the appeal from Betis.

That means Antony will be free to play when Los Blancos visit the Benito Villamarín Stadium on Saturday evening.

Antony was told the news during his side’s training session on Wednesday morning. 

It was his first sending off since March 2022 when he was dismissed in the last minute of Ajax’s 3-2 win over Feyenoord in the Netherlands. 

Speaking after the incident, he said: ‘I am always looking forward to playing. I still don’t know if I will be able to do so on Saturday, we are going to try to appeal. 

‘The move is a bit difficult. There will be an appeal and I am ready to play against Madrid. I am enjoying myself a lot, I am very happy.’