The reason for Mason Greenwood's dismissal for Getafe against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday has been revealed in referee Figueroa Vazquez's match report.
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Greenwood sent off against RayoGetafe manager claims he didn't swear at officialBut referee's report says otherwiseWHAT HAPPENED?
The Manchester United loanee was sent off early in the second half for dissent as his side capitulated at home, with Sergio Camello scoring either side of half time and another two Getafe players being given their marching orders alongside Greenwood. Juanmi Latasa was given a second yellow for an elbow, while substitute Damian Suarez was handed two yellow cards in quick succession for arguing from the bench.
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Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas stood by Greenwood after the match, telling reporters: "He's a good kid. He doesn't speak Spanish. He told me that he said 'don't f*ck with me'. He hadn't whistled the fouls that were coming at him from a few metres away. It's frustration, he didn't insult anyone. It's a comment saying 'don't f*ck with me, you're not whistling'. I think everything was exaggerated and very rigorous, even Latasa's sending off. Until Latasa was sent off the team was doing well. Rayo had a few chances from set pieces and little else. We had the game under control. It was a question of improving. We were about to finish the first half and we had confidence in the team. After the sending off everything changed and the second half was even worse."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
However, the match report filed by referee Vazquez contradicts Bordalas' and Greenwood's version of events. The match official claims in his notes that the 22-year-old English forward said "f*ck you" while gesticulating with his arm outstretched, before leaving the field of play furious. Getafe, for their part, maintain that Greenwood's comments were not aimed directly at the official.
WHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?
The Manchester United loanee now faces a suspension, unless Getafe can successfully lodge an appeal. Beyond that, Greenwood looks likely to stay at the Madrid-based club this term, with his longer term future potentially in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are reportedly among those who hold a vested interest in the player, although it is thought that Catalan giants Barcelona are the frontrunners to land his signature when his loan deal expires in the summer.