Jean Paul N’Djoli faced a pivotal moment in the 23rd minute, and if he could switch sides against Prat, he might have chosen to greet Adri Díaz instead of overpowering him. Yet such a clash would occur in a trivial moment, far removed from the match’s main action. Quantum physics cannot bend this reality for now.
He walked away from his friends after more than 80 minutes of aggressive, reckless play. When the referee began to approach, he understood the gravity of the situation and reacted with somber movements. The French striker was consoled and filled with regret. He apologized to his teammates and the coaching staff, pledging to learn from the misstep.
The circumstances made it clear that the only person who left the field truly scarred was the French forward. Twice in the first half, his image left the pitch early, and those moments translated into two separate Hercules victories. The team bore the impact, the players endured, and a six-match suspension loomed in his pocket.
The club will not immediately challenge the red card, and there is concern that sanctions against the French player could extend if the reason for the red card is tied to the overall replay of the incident.
Uncontrollable momentum and a strong urge to turn professional—coupled with a hyper-keen enthusiasm—took away from Jean Paul something he has chased since leaving Spain: possession. Lolo Escobar tried to steady him, but Angel Rodriguez was rejected, and the Frenchman squandered the opportunity. The coach, speaking in the postmatch press room, suggested that maintaining peak condition would not be straightforward right away.
The club has no plans to reference the red card publicly. In the Ibiza referee’s minutes, the decision was clear: “Jean Paul was dismissed for tackling an opponent and striking the opponent’s shin. The contact was deemed excessive in the struggle for the ball,” the official noted.
more than 3 matches
The key issue for Hercules lies in the Competition Board’s aggravating repetition rule. If invoked, a four-match or longer suspension becomes possible. If not, the penalty could range from one to three matches.
The club fears thatJean Paul could hurt the team. Three expulsions, one with the reserve side and two with the first team, have left the club opting for a cautious approach and not publicizing the matter. The recent red cards carry different justifications: one for attempting to influence play before the ball was in motion after a hard tackle, the other for a forceful challenge amid play.
Lolo Escobar: “Red card opened the door for punishment, Jean Paul affected his team”
Pedro Rojas
Experts view these incidents through different lenses. Some see no tax on dividends here; others think three-game suspensions for direct red cards point to a pattern of behavior.
Colleagues accepted Jean Paul’s sincere apologies, recognizing his youth and the need to learn. Lolo Escobar accepted his request for forgiveness, though it will be an ongoing challenge to move past the events.
The resilience of the player
Pedro Rojas
For the moment, the sanction will keep him off the roster for a few weeks. If Jack Harper returns to form, the Scotsman could dominate the match as he did before his injury last November. The Extremadura coach emphasizes patience but also fairness, insisting that Jean Paul should learn a lesson that will guide him toward future success. The single judge’s stance should not deter him from continuing to pursue his career.
Espanyol B will also miss a contributor: Raúl Dacosta. On Saturday, at Dani Jarque Sports City, Espanyol B cannot count on Dacosta for the match against Hércules. The Galician midfielder was sent off for addressing the referee after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Alzira. The referee’s minutes noted a strong expression of disappointment, underscoring the ongoing tension and the contested minutes of a season that has seen this player log many minutes and score three goals. He has been a key figure for Lluís Blanco, whose Barcelona runners-up sit two points ahead of Alicante and trailing fourth place by a narrow margin.