The red card shown to Themba Zwane during Bafana Bafana's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico has sparked controversy, with the Group of Copenhagen flagging it as one of seven 'yellow notices' indicating potential match manipulation.

The independent advisory group, coordinated with FIFA's Integrity Task Force, identified irregularities linked to betting patterns and officiating decisions.

While FIFA maintains no suspicious activity was found, the Council of Europe's report highlights 104 matches monitored, 15 under increased scrutiny, and 12 major controversies analyzed for integrity risks.

Zwane's dismissal in the 84th minute after a VAR review, following his substitute entry in the 61st minute, has drawn criticism from South Africans who question the decision's legitimacy.The incident led to a three-match ban by FIFA, which Bafana's coach Hugo Broos disputes, citing lack of intent.

The report also notes cryptocurrency-based prediction markets and delayed VAR decisions as flagged anomalies, underscoring concerns about betting influence on match outcomes.