Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder has conceded that the referee was not wrong to send off Calvin Bassey during his side’s 3-5 loss to PSV in the Johan Cruyff Shield on Saturday.
Signed from Glasgow Rangers for £19 million a few days ago, Bassey had had his Ajax debut delayed due to a work permit. And the Leicester City academy product missed the Amsterdammers’ 3-1 friendly win over Shakhter Donetsk during the week.
But the Super Eagles defender was ready for the season opener at home to PSV and made it off the bench just past the hour mark, replacing Owen Wijndal.
Ajax were trailing 3-4 at the time.
However, Bassey took a walk of shame barely 16 minutes later after the referee, needing the aid of VAR, dismissed him for a rash tackle on PSV’s Ismael Saibari.
The Dutch manager maintains that Bassey had not gone in to hurt Saibari, but admits that the new signing may have been rough with his challenge.
“In the end, I think the red card was decisive,” said Schneider, as per The Sun.
“You felt we could go on and win it, but it is always more difficult with one less man
“I looked at the incident after the game and he certainly didn’t do it deliberately, but he’s gone in a little too wild.
“I admit a red card could have been given and I can understand why they gave it.”
Bassey will miss Ajax’s first league match of the campaign next weekend, an away trip to newly promoted Almere City.