Edinson Cavani was one of three players to be sent off in Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 victory over Lens on Friday night as the Uruguay striker saw red for his sniper celebration.
Cavani was first booked for celebrating his goal in front of Lens fans with his trademark gun celebration before then receiving a second yellow for remonstrating with the referee.
“There were some incidents which meant that, unfortunately, the match lost a lot of interest in the second half,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “At 10 against nine, the teams canceled each other out and it wasn’t a great match.”
PSG were again missing star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a heel injury and fell behind in the 10th minute when forward Adamo Coulibaly scored on a quick break to make it an ideal start for Lens coach Antoine Kombouare — who was fired as PSG coach despite being top of the league to make way for Carlo Ancelotti three years ago.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye equalised with his first PSG goal in the 28th minute and Brazilian defender Maxwell put Blanc’s side ahead in the 34th. Then, Lens defender Jean-Philippe Gbamin was sent off as Cavani earned a penalty.
But after he converted the spot kick, he too was red-carded after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession.
“He doesn’t deserve this red card. For a start, why did he get this yellow card before?” PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi told Canal Plus television. “He always (celebrates) the same way.”
Two minutes later, Lens midfielder Jerome Le Moigne was also sent off, again for a second yellow, as he shoved Cabaye.
