Barcelona’s Dest sent off for two yellows in 30 secs for ‘inexcusable lack of respect’ and slammed by own USA team-mates
BARCELONA’S Serginio Dest saw red for the USA last night after two yellow cards in the space of 30 seconds.
The defender completely lost his head in the 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago during the team’s CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final.
The incident happened in the 39th minute with the USA leading 1-0.
Dest believed he had kept the ball in play but the referee awarded a throw to Trinidad and Tobago.
The right-back booted the ball away in a fit of rage before presumably swearing at the ref as he shouted at him while covering his mouth.
The commentator repeatedly said: “He needs to calm down” as it became clear Dest was heading for a red card.
US team-mate and Borussia Dortmund winger Gio Reyna attempted to hold Dest back while he berated the ref but the defender was an unstoppable force.
After the ref showed Dest his second yellow, he sarcastically blew him a kiss with both hands.
Dest’s team-mates then lost their rag with the youngster, with Tim Ream coming over to shout at the right-back.
Dest’s goalkeeper, Matt Turner also came over to have a go at while he trudged off the pitch.
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Dest and Nottingham Forest‘s Turner’s argument continued as the defender took the long way round as he left the pitch, with Turner shoving him over the sideline.
A perplexed co-commentator said: “What on earth was he thinking?”
He continued: “Dest shows an incredible momentary lapse of reason right there. It’s inexplicable!”
Dest’s moment of madness cost the USA the game as they went on to lose 2-1.
They till advance to the Nations League semi-final, however, due to the US winning the first leg 3-0.
After the game, Fulham‘s Ream said there were “choice words” for Dest at half-time.
Ream revealed there were: “Not too many things I can say here publicly that we said privately.
“It’s a complete lack of respect for the guys that are playing, for the guys that are on the bench. It´s a lack of respect for the game itself, for the referees.”
Dest will be suspended for the Nations League semi-final in March. He missed this year’s Nations League final after getting a red card and a three-game ban for scuffling in the semi-final against Mexico.
Meanwhile USA coach Gregg Berhalter called the red card “inexcusable” and “surreal”.
He said: “It is concerning because that’s not what we represent, that’s not who we are as a group.”
Berhalter also confirmed that Dest apologised to his team-mates after the game.
Dest also took to Instagram to apologise to fans of Team USA.
He captioned his post with: “I want to apologise to my Teammates, Staff, Fans and whole nation for my behaviour it was unacceptable, Selfish and immature I let my team down!’
“It’s something I have to learn from and it won’t happen again!”
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson also put the boot in on Dest in his post-game interview, saying it was a “moment of unprofessionalism”.