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Japan protest Kawashima’s red card
DOHA — Japan on Friday protested against a red card and ban controversially handed to goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima in their cliff-hanging 2-1 win over Syria at the Asian Cup.
“We submitted a protest letter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding the referee’s decision on Kawashima,” Japan Football Association (JFA) spokesman Hideki Kato said.
But he said the letter was not expected to be taken up the AFC’s legal committee as it would not in any way change the referee’s decision.
Kato said earlier that the association had dropped the idea of seeking the retraction of the ban as AFC rules stipulate an appeal must be filed within two hours of the final whistle, something Japan failed to do because they did not know the rule.
AFC tournament director Tokuaki Suzuki confirmed Kawashima would be banned for Japan’s next match, against Saudi Arabia on Monday.
“The AFC disciplinary committee will decide on more sanctions after studying the case,” he said.
As Syria trailed 1-0, Iranian referee Torky Mohsen sent off the Lierse Sk custodian for bringing down Sanharib Malki despite the player being flagged offside. Firas Al Khatib calmly converted the spot kick on 76 minutes.
Japanese players and officials fiercely protested alongside JFA technical director Hiromi Hara, calling the decision a “misjudgement”.
The referee insisted Malki was not offside.
Japan nevertheless went on to win, with CSKA Moscow star Keisuke Honda making sure of the three points by converting his own penalty six minutes later.
Japan are level on four points in Group B with Jordan, one point clear of Syria with one more match to play.
Kawashima’s absence will be a big blow to the Blue Samurai’s bid for a record fourth continental title.
He was a national hero at the World Cup in South Africa, when Japan reached the last 16 for the first time on foreign soil.
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