Getafe's Abqar Red-Carded for Pinching Sorloth in LaLiga Clash

MADRID — Getafe defender Abdel Abqar was sent off with a straight red card during Saturday's LaLiga match against Atletico Madrid after video review showed him pinching the groin area of Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth in an off-the-ball incident at the Metropolitano Stadium.

The controversial moment occurred seven minutes into the second half, with Atletico leading 1-0 on a first-half goal by wingback Nahuel Molina in the eighth minute. Referee Miguel Ortiz Arias halted play following an alert from the video assistant referee, initially confusing spectators who thought it related to a separate challenge involving Molina and Getafe's Mauro Arambarri. After reviewing footage on the pitchside monitor, Ortiz issued the red card to Abqar for unsportsmanlike conduct, specifically noting in his report that the Moroccan player had pinched the genital area of an opponent. Sorloth, reacting by grabbing Abqar's arm and pulling him to the ground, received a yellow card for his retaliation.

Replays captured Abqar nudging Sorloth as they jostled near the sideline, then appearing to reach toward the striker's groin with his thumb and index finger. The incident, which went viral on social...