Sergino Dest has put out an apology after he was issued a red card in the United States Of America’s loss to Trinidad and Tobago.
Dest was criticized following the game by his teammates and head coach Gregg Berhalter, who said that the defender put several of his teammates in Jeopardy.
Sergino Dest was brandished two yellow cards in the space of 30 seconds in the 2-1 Concacaf Nations League quarter-final second-leg defeat.
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson took the USA into the lead in the 25th minute before Reon Moore equalized for Trinidad and Tobago in the 43rd minute.
Alvin Jones scored the winner for the home team in the 57th minute, although it wasn’t enough to see them through the tie over two legs, as USA progressed with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Manager Berhalter termed Dest’s actions “inexcusable” and captain Tim Team expressed he has shown a “lack of respect”.
Sergino Dest was sent off in the 39th minute, and the United States Of America had to make do with a man down.
Why was Sergino Dest handed a red card in USA’s game against Trinidad and Tobago?
The on-loan Barcelona defender was first booked by referee Walter Lopez for kicking the ball away before being handed a second yellow for remonstrating at the referee.
Dest was seen shouting and blowing kisses at the referee intended to spite the man with the whistle.
Speaking following the defeat, Gregg Berhalter lambasted Sergino Dest for how he comported himself.
Manager Berhalter said: “Dest put a number of guys in jeopardy, made a number of guys do a lot of extra work in this weather.
“It is concerning because that’s not what we want to represent. That’s not who we are as a group.
He added that the team prides themselves on being mentally disciplined and fighting through any type of condition irrespective of the decisions.
Nottingham Forest goalie Matt Turner, who was in goal for the USA, and Fulham defender Tim Ream were seen shouting at Sergino Dest trying to dounce the tension.
Speaking after the encounter, captain Ream expressed that Dest’s actions showed a “complete lack of respect for the guys that are playing, for the guys that are on the bench. It’s a feeling of a lack of respect for the game itself and for the referees.”
Sergino Dest apology statement
Sergino Dest has now subsequently shared a statement on Instagram, apologizing for what happened.
Dest wrote: “I want to apologize to my team-mates, staff and fans, and the whole nation for my behavior – it was unacceptable, selfish, and immature.
“I let my team down. It’s something I have to learn from and it won’t happen again.”
Sergino Dest will be unavailable for the United States Of America in the Nations League semi-final encounter in March 2024.
Dest missed the final of the previous edition after he was also dismissed in the semi-final against Mexico.
Sergino Dest has made 31 appearances for the United States Of America, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists in all competitions.
