Premier League
Nathan Ngoy red carded vs Iran, receives racist abuse
Nathan Ngoy, the Lille defender, was sent off in the second half of Belgium's friendly against Iran after a last‑man foul, prompting a wave of racist comments on his Instagram post despite many supportive messages. The incident followed a misplaced back‑pass that let Mehdi Taremi threaten the goal.
Ngoy's play against Iran showcased his attacking intent, delivering precise cross‑passes that freed Leandro Trossard on the flank. His defensive anticipation also displayed flair throughout the second half.
In Belgium's opening friendly versus Egypt, Ngoy had already been highlighted as one of the match's bright spots. The Lille defender continued that form into the Iran game.
The dismissal stemmed from a back‑pass that struck Ngoy's support foot, allowing Mehdi Taremi a clear path toward goal. The referee deemed the challenge a last‑man foul and issued a red card.
Social media reactions to Ngoy's Instagram post were mixed; many users posted comforting messages, while a minority posted racist remarks, including GIFs depicting apes. The hateful comments were condemned as unacceptable.
Thibaut Courtois also weighed in on the incident, commenting on the red card and referencing teammate Vanaken. Their remarks added to the discussion surrounding the referee's decision.
Ngoy, a former Standard defender, is expected to serve a one‑match suspension before returning for the upcoming sixteenth finals if he receives only a single‑match ban. He aims to come back stronger after the episode.