Absurd tackle mars FC Groningen friendly, sparks referee fury

FC Groningen lost 2-1 to AEK Athens in a Saturday afternoon friendly, a match that was marred by a hard tackle from AEK defender Felipe Relvas on Travis Hernes in the second half, prompting an immediate red card from referee Clay Ruperti.

The incident occurred about ten minutes into the second half when Relvas played the ball too far forward. Hernes recovered the ball and was struck with a nail‑hard challenge. Referee Clay Ruperti did not hesitate and showed a straight red card to the Portuguese defender.

FC Groningen midfielder was left shaken by the tackle. Earlier in the game tensions had already risen after Pelle Clement was pushed backward near the sideline by an opponent. Lukkien observed a Greek player attempting to strike Thom van Bergen in the same episode.

"I was hugely shocked by that tackle," said FC Groningen coach Dick Lukkien. "If Travis is standing there, I think his leg could break. You know it can get heated against the Greeks, but you still expect normal behaviour."

Lukkien approached referee Ruperti after the dismissal, warning, "One more time and we will stop." He added that he wants to keep his players safe. The coach received support from the speaker at the WWNA sport complex in Wenem‑Wiesel.

Following the red card, Lukkien changed his entire lineup. Oskar Zawada gave FC Groningen a 0‑1 lead, but the young northern side eventually fell 2‑1.

The friendly, intended as preparation, ended up highlighting disciplinary concerns, contrasting the teams' desire for a smooth contest with the reality of violent incidents. The episode underscores the need for stricter control in such matches.