Nelson Semedo has fervently defended himself after receiving his fifth booking of the season, resulting in his suspension for the upcoming match against Everton on Wednesday night. The Portuguese player clarified that a miscommunication with referee Peter Bankes triggered the incident in the very first minute of the previous game, leading to his undesired yellow card.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: Referee Peter Bankes is referred to VAR monitor before he awards a penalty for a foul on Evanilson of Bournemouth by José Sá of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemouth at Molineux on November 30, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Semedo firmly believed that Bankes had signaled a goal-kick following Toti’s challenge on Evanilson, instead of awarding a penalty within the initial 57 seconds of the match. This misunderstanding caused Semedo to applaud the decision, unaware that a penalty had actually been given, which the referee interpreted negatively.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Brazilian midfielder #08 Joao Gomes (L) and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Portuguese defender #24 Tote Gomes react after the team conceded a third goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Expressing his frustration, the 31-year-old player stated, “I am truly upset that the referee issued me the booking. When I saw the referee’s gesture after Toti’s challenge, I presumed he was indicating a goal-kick. Suddenly, I was shown the yellow card without even being given the chance to explain.”
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: Philip Billing of Bournemouth slides in on Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemouth at Molineux on November 30, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Semedo further explained, “While I couldn’t revoke the yellow card, I wanted to clarify why I was applauding. I wanted to make it clear that my applause wasn’t meant as sarcasm towards the penalty decision; it was simply because I mistakenly thought it was a goal-kick. That is not the kind of player I am, especially with four previous yellow cards accumulated.”
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 30: Head Coach Gary O’Neil of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemouth at Molineux on November 30, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Due to the suspension, Semedo will be absent from the Goodison Park fixture, with Matt Doherty expected to step in as his replacement. However, Pedro Lima might also be considered as an alternative option following his recent return from injury.
