Cardiff manager Omer Riza ended up getting sent off for confronting Swansea player Goncalo Franco who barged into him.
Riza was sent off during the closing stages of a South Wales derby which the Bluebirds won 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The incident came after Swansea midfielder Goncalo Franco barged into Riza on the touchline, prompting a furious reaction from Riza, who then received a red card from referee James Bell. There was also a melee involving both teams’ players and staff.
Despite the red card, Cardiff fans showed support for Riza, paying tribute to his father Josh who had passed away this week. Riza travelled to London on Thursday to see his father before he died. Riza returned to take training on Friday.
Disgusting behaviour from Franco here in any circumstances, but on a man who’s just lost his father it’s just despicable. The red card went to the wrong man and if ever a team deserved to be hammered out of sight, it’s Franco’s. #CardiffCity #Bluebirds pic.twitter.com/TEsPYTQeDN
— Omer Riza’s barmy army (@OGSCardiffCity) January 18, 2025
Meite taking the lot of them on. Tough guy Franco shitting his pants too. pic.twitter.com/yrTaMD9lv5
— Bluebirds Past (@BluebirdsPast) January 18, 2025
Cardiff City’s resounding 3-0 derby win over Swansea City was for manager Omer Riza after his “extremely difficult” week, said assistant coach Tom Ramasut.
Riza had travelled to see his father Josh in London before he died on Thursday, but the Bluebirds boss was back for training on Friday.
He watched on as fans sang “This one’s for your dad” after the game, which the manager acknowledged by waving and applauding.
“It’s really heartwarming because I know there’s been a lot of great messages from fans,” said Ramasut, who was on post-match media interviews.
“It’s been an extremely difficult week. His father passed away on Thursday, he drove back home on Wednesday to spend some time with him, we trained Thursday, did media and the signing of Yousef [Salech] and then he drove back home to spend the last moments with his father, which is extremely difficult. He drove back down and prepared for the game on Friday.
“What’s been such a warming feeling is the support he’s had from the players, all the staff, and the togetherness we’ve shown and I’m sure he’s taken a lot of comfort from that.
“I’m sure his father will be looking down. I think he felt like he had a responsibility and that was the right thing to do.
“There are players there who have played many derbies now and they understand what it means for the fans, the club, the whole city. They knew there was that motivation. They really wanted to do it for the gaffer as well.”
The result sees Cardiff sitting 20th in the Championship with 27 points from 27 games played, and a point above the drop zone, while Swansea are 13th with 34 points from 27 games, and 7 points from the playoff places.
Unfortunate and horrible news for Omer and the Riza family tonight with the passing of his father.
Thoughts with the family. pic.twitter.com/PCwC8gJlYV
— Jamie Anderson🐦🏴 (@JamieAnderson93) January 16, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted with Cardiff manager Omer Riza sent off for confronting a Swansea player who barged into him…
@CcfcOK1: I’ve not really got an issue with that incident from Franco or Riza. It’s a derby, gaffer out of his technical area and Franco did a bit much. Nice to see some fight from the manager, he truly loves it
@xDoey: Wouldn’t have happened if he was in his technical area 🤷🏻♂️
@HMPG2000: Omer Riza running onto the pitch wanting to nut Franca while 3-0 up is superb stuff 🤣🤣
@MichaelRees84: Stop crying, it’s a derby, we want these moments…. you win some, you lose some, we lost today… enjoy it
@fac2527: I’m happy with that, it shows what it means to Riza, can’t he lacks passion.
@niallswans: Oh yeah just don’t try keep the ball in because Rizas old man died. Get a grip.
@asbry1993: Bad take I think he deserved the red, France has purposely done that so for him not to receive atleast a booking is wrong. But the commentators saying he’s showing good strength by France, wtf, does he not realise the players are not to “show strength” against a manager 😂
@matt_roberts05: Franco getting pressed by Riza is the highlight of the day 🤣🤣
@YorkiePuds44: Disgusting 😂😂 ball wasn’t even out of play and Riza gets involved when he didn’t need to. Completely Riza’s fault regardless of his personal circumstances
@jamiebarrow95: Passion from the gaffer, love it
@neddthomas: Also, massive massive respect to Omer Riza. After the very sad news he received this week, he still prepared the team perfectly. His emotions spilled over at the end but I actually loved that passion. Well done Omer #CardiffCity #Bluebirds
@MareduddDavies: How has Franco not been booked for that??
@fac2527: I’m happy with that, it shows what it means to Riza, can’t he lacks passion.
@diffanalysis: The first and only time Franco got near someone Cardiff related was Riza
@GeorgeCamron: My Gaffer. 💙
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