Vitor Pereira was shown a red card by Jarred Gillett early in the first half of Wolves vs Brighton.
The Portuguese head coach appeared to be frustrated by something he saw, and originally it was suspected he was annoyed by Carlos Baleba getting away with a foul.
The red card did not affect Wolves, as they scored just moments later, and the crowd erupted in chants for Vitor Pereira.
The Premier League confirmed he was shown a red for ‘irresponsible behaviour in the technical area’.
However, this explanation did not do much to clarify the decision. The answer has finally come out, and it came from Wolves’ assistant coach.
Luis Miguel confirms why Vitor Pereira was shown a red card against Brighton
Luis Miguel, Wolves’ assistant coach, was on media duty after the Brighton game due to Vitor Pereira’s red card.
Premier League rules dictate that head coaches and managers cannot do their usual post-match interviews and press conferences following a sending-off.
The assistant confirmed the true reason Pereira was shown the red card, and it had nothing to do with the opposing side as first suspected.
Miguel said via the Express and Star, “I want to apologise for what happened. I didn’t see but they told me that he kicked the ball.
“He was frustrated with something that happened with our team, not with the referee and not with the opponent’s team.
“The ball was near him, and he just kicked the ball, and I want to apologise for Vitor. Vitor is not like that. It’s not correct to do things like that, but it was one second of frustration and he just kicked the ball.
“I’m sorry. These things happen when we are under pressure and the games are like this level.”
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That settles that controversy, and it appears Pereira will not have too much to disagree with regarding the decision, but it now leaves him potentially missing a crucial clash after the international break.
Vitor Pereira will now likely miss crucial match vs Sunderland
Vitor Pereira’s red card means he will have to watch at least one game from the crowd. However, it could be more depending on how egregious his actions are deemed.
The head coach could also appeal the decision to reduce the ban, but based on Miguel’s comments, it seems Pereira knows he was in the wrong.
Wolves’ next match comes against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and the Black Cats have been in good form this season.
It will be a tough fixture for the Old Gold, but they desperately need to win. Pereira will have to affect proceedings from the crowd.
His in-game management from the stands was woeful against Brighton, and he’ll need to improve in that aspect.