Verbist: "Defour deserved a yellow card"

INTERVIEWS Steven Defour received his tenth yellow card against Mouscron, and as a result he is suspended for two matches. Defour and Hasi both believe the yellow card came too early for the midfielder, but referee Johan Verbist defends his yellow card.

"The yellow card came too quickly, it was only his first foul of the match", coach Hasi reacted.

"That is a lame excuse", is Verbist's reply. "A first foul of the match can even be an immediate red card. Defour blocked a potentially dangerous attack, that always deserves a yellow card. I can understand Anderlecht are frustrated about this, but let's not forget he already received nine yellow cards before."

Verbist tries not to be aware of any potential suspensions, but he did know about the possible suspension of Steven Defour. "Everyone was talking about it, but that did not influence my decision", Verbist states.

Second yellow card

Besnik Hasi admitted Defour was searching for a second yellow card so he would be suspended for only one match. "Defour tried to grab a second yellow card, but it was not meant to be. I do not believe Verbist would have given him a red card anyway", Hasi reacted.

"Steven Defour would have received a second yellow card if he deserved one", the referee claims. "It was his right to try to receive a second yellow card but I also expected that reaction."