Thierry Henry will be responsible for Belgium next Sunday during the Nations League match with the Netherlands, the Belgian Football Association (KBVB) reports. On Thursday evening, national coach Roberto Martínez was shown a red card in the game against Wales (2-1), which means that the Spaniard has to watch from the stands in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. In Belgium they still do not agree with this red card.
Martínez himself reacted in surprise to the sanction after the game. “I would like to know why I got a red card. I grabbed the ball and that might have been a yellow card, but red… I’ve heard I have to treat the players to dinner now, so I’ll do that!”
Martínez was shown the red card by Turkish referee Ali Palabiyik for holding a ball longer than usual in the final phase against Wales. The Spanish teacher thus prevented Wales from throwing in quickly. Palabiyik then immediately sent Martínez to the stands with a red card, resulting in a suspension against the Dutch national team. Despite a final offensive by the Welshmans, Belgium took the win, taking away Poland in the Nations League.
Although Henry is ultimately responsible during the match, Belgium will prepare as simply as possible for the duel in Amsterdam. Atlético Madrid midfielder Axel Witsel does not think the red card for Martínez will have much influence on the squatter in the ArenA. “Our preparation will be no different than usual, the coach is just there. But the adjustment during the match will be different. Fortunately, the group is mature enough. I thought red was strict, by the way, it was weird. If the players waste time, we just get yellow.”
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