Did Canada's Kadeisha Buchanan get suspended on purpose?
Star defender might have intentionally gotten 1-game ban
By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
Did Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan go out of her way to be booked Saturday?
The 20-year-old from Brampton, Ont., came into Saturday's Olympic soccer game against Zimbabwe on a caution, issued in Canada's opening 2-0 win over Australia. Two yellow cards in the tournament means a one-game ban, although the yellow cards are expunged at the semifinal stage.
So Buchanan, a world-class talent who is a key cog in the Canadian defence, faced the prospect of going through the final pool game and quarter-final with the threat of a suspension over her head with another yellow.
A caution against Zimbabwe would mean short-term pain for long-term gain. Buchanan would miss the final pool game against Germany but, with Canada headed to the quarter-finals, would have a clear record for the knockout rounds.
In the 59th minute, with Canada leading the 93rd-ranked Africans 3-0, Buchanan failed to move back from a Zimbabwe free kick near centre field. Referee Olga Miranda gave her a chance to retreat, then reached in her pocket when Buchanan delayed.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Can?src=hash">#Can</a> Kadeisha Buchanan's yellow card means she will miss the next <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanWNT?src=hash">#CanWNT</a> game vs Germany <a href="https://t.co/KW14BZIwQ1">https://t.co/KW14BZIwQ1</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dk17KaO58n">https://t.co/Dk17KaO58n</a>
—@CBCOlympicsSome on Twitter berated Buchanan for a blockhead move. But it was likely more crazy like a fox.
The Canadians went on to win the match 3-1 and, coupled with Germany's ensuing 2-2 tie with Australia, have booked their ticket to the quarter-finals.
Buchanan did not speak to media after the game.
Speculation is she knew what she was doing. That said, one can argue she did nothing more than take advantage of tournament rules. Although some might argue it is not in the spirit of the law.
Buchanan wouldn't be the first to get intentionally carded
Going after a second yellow in order to choose the time of a suspension rather than have it choose you is nothing new at a soccer competition.
England star David Beckham did it in 2004 during World Cup qualifying, admitting he deliberately fouled Ben Thatcher of Wales so he would be suspended for a game in Azerbaijan that he knew he would miss anyway because of damaged ribs suffered earlier in the game. He later apologized.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo escaped further disciplinary action by FIFA in 2013 over a 90th-minute yellow card against Israel, which some thought was deliberate to provoke a one-match ban before the World Cup playoffs. FIFA could have targeted Ronaldo via a rule aimed at any player who "violates the principles of fair play or whose behaviour is unsporting in any other way."
UEFA, the European governing body of soccer, introduced a two-match ban in 2011 for players or coaches who seek to provoke yellow or red cards to orchestrate the timing of suspensions.
Buchanan, who plays a physical game, does have a history of cautions. Saturday marked her 15th yellow in 61 senior appearances for Canada.
Only Charmaine Hooper (21) and Andrea Neil (17) have drawn more among Canadian women. Both are retired.