Two Players Get Red Cards, Persija Coach: Fair To Gustavo, But Not For Gajos

Gustavo Almeida received a red card from the referee in the match between Persija vs Arema (Instagram/@persija).

JAKARTA - Persija Jakarta coach, Carlos Pena, responded to two of his two players' red cards against Arema FC in the 26th week of Liga 1 2024/2025.

Persija Jakarta hosted Arema FC at Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, on Sunday, March 9, 2025, WIB night, with a 1-3 defeat. In addition to losing three points, the Kemayoran Tigers were also forced to appear with nine players since the 36th minute because Maciej Gajos and Gustavo Almeida received a red card.

Steven Yuben Poli, who was the referee in this match, kicked Gajos off the field in the 22nd minute after a duel with Ahmad Maulana. In the 36th minute it was Gustavo Almeida's turn to take a shower faster after the referee reviewed the video assistant referee (VAR).

This difficult situation drew a different response from Carlos Pena. Responding to Gustavo Almeida's red card after violating Pablo Oliveira, the coach thought it was appropriate to be accepted.

"In my opinion, the red card for Gustavo (Almeda) is fair. It was the player's fault, it was fair, he couldn't do that," he said after the match, quoted Monday, March 10, 2025.

However, Pena highlighted the red card hard to Gajos. He criticized the referee's decision which he considered inappropriate.

"Anyone who plays football sometimes or a little understands the game knows that in that action (Maciej) Gajos tries to pass the ball."

"When he tried to step on the ground again, the opponent's feet were there. So, it wasn't a red card, 100 percent," said Pena.

The coach also revealed factors that made Gajos unable to stand stable when controlling the ball. Pena said this could not be separated from the field factor.

"I don't think it's appropriate to play in this kind of condition. It affects because of Gajos' control that triggers a red card after that, I think it's because of the field factor," said the coach.

Furthermore, Pena also wants the figure behind the VAR device to better understand and carry out his duties properly.

"VAR is a very good tool, but you need people who have knowledge of VAR to make decisions. I think the decision is very important for the game, of course," Pena said.