Giovinco sent off using VAR

Susy Campanale

Sebastian Giovinco was controversially sent off for Toronto FC using VAR during a tense 3-2 MLS defeat to New England Revolution.

The incident occurred after Giovinco had converted an 89th-minute penalty and was running back to the centre-circle in order to restart play as soon as possible.

Wilfried Zahibo tried to push the ball out of his hands to delay him, so the Atomic Ant reacted by reaching up and putting a hand on his face.

Referee Mark Geiger viewed it on VAR and gave the Italy international a straight red card.

Sebastian Giovinco was controversially sent off for Toronto FC using VAR during a tense 3-2 MLS defeat to New England Revolution.

The incident occurred after Giovinco had converted an 89th-minute penalty and was running back to the centre-circle in order to restart play as soon as possible.

Wilfried Zahibo tried to push the ball out of his hands to delay him, so the Atomic Ant reacted by reaching up and putting a hand on his face.

Referee Mark Geiger viewed it on VAR and gave the Italy international a straight red card.

“Seba’s running back with the ball and the guy tries to swat it out of his hand,” Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley told reporters.

“Seba is frustrated because there have been a few plays before that where he hasn’t gotten a call and he puts his hands up to the guy’s face.

“The way the rule goes right now and the way things are reffed, that’s a red card. But there’s no animosity in what [Giovinco’s] doing. There’s no endangerment of the other player at that point.”