Ciss U-turn: Rayo midfielder admits red card was correct after Ceballos tackle
Rayo Vallecano's Pathé Ciss has publicly apologized to Dani Ceballos after initially questioning his red card in the controversial match against Real Madrid.
Rayo Vallecano midfielder Pathé Ciss has performed a complete about-face after reviewing his red card challenge on Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos, admitting the referee got it spot on after all.
From denial to apology
The Senegalese midfielder was given his marching orders in the 80th minute of the heated clash with Real Madrid after a late challenge on Ceballos. Initially, Ciss seemed to question the decision as he left the Santiago Bernabéu, but after watching replays at home, he’s had a proper change of heart.
In a refreshingly honest social media post shared on both X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, Ciss owned up to his mistake:
“When leaving the stadium they asked if it was a red card, and I doubted it, but I’ve just seen the replay at home and I admit it was red,” he wrote.
The midfielder went further, extending apologies to everyone involved - his teammates, Rayo supporters, and specifically to Ceballos, who was left clutching his ankle after the dangerous tackle on his standing leg.
Ceballos responds with class
To his credit, Ceballos didn’t hold a grudge, responding to Ciss’s apology with a touch of class: “Nothing, friend. Things of football.”
That’s proper decent from the Madrid man, especially considering how the tackle could’ve done some proper damage to his ankle.
Controversial finale
The red card incident was somewhat overshadowed by the match’s dramatic conclusion. Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera awarded Real Madrid a penalty in the 100th minute - despite having only indicated nine minutes of added time - which proved decisive in the outcome.
Rayo manager Iñigo Pérez was relatively restrained about the red card in his post-match comments, noting: “Pathé Ciss is vital. Sometimes excess energy leads to these situations. I prefer him to be sent off for this than for other situations.”
Pérez also boldly claimed that eleven-against-eleven, his Rayo side had been the better team against the Spanish giants - a statement that might raise a few eyebrows in the Spanish capital.
The incident adds another chapter to what was already a proper Bobby Dazzler of a match, with controversy, drama and now, a touch of sportsmanship to boot.