DROGHEDA, Ireland (AP) 鈥� Roberto 鈥淧ico鈥� Lopes got a hero’s welcome in Ireland after the 鈥� and a red card on Friday night.
The who helped Cape Verde reach the knockout round was sent off for a challenge on a Drogheda United opponent in stoppage time of a 0-0 draw in Ireland’s top league.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen it back, I鈥檓 not sure it鈥檚 a red card. I think the referee is very, very quick to do it,鈥� Rovers coach Stephen Bradley told club media.
But RTE, Ireland’s national public media, noted that 鈥渉is challenge on Shane Farrell was late and high.鈥�
A month ago, Lopes was battling Lionel Messi in the round of 32 at the World Cup. .
After Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup, local fans rooted on Lopes and Cape Verde. The 34-year-old defender, whose father is Cape Verdean and mother Irish, was one of the stars of the team, along with .
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