Shota Abe receives red card in Gamba Osaka loss to Nagoya Grampus

Gamba Osaka midfielder Shota Abe received a red card during a J1 League match against Nagoya Grampus on August 22, resulting in his team's 1-3 defeat. The incident occurred in the 86th minute when Abe was involved in a physical confrontation with Nagoya forward Matheus Castro following a challenge for the ball.

Video footage shows Abe pushing Matheus with his chest after a verbal exchange. While the referee issued a red card to Abe, Matheus received a yellow card for his role in the altercation. This marks the third time Abe has been sent off since joining the club from Belgian side Molenbeek in May 2025.

The decision has sparked debate among fans and former players. Former Japan national team player Hideo Hashimoto expressed uncertainty regarding the referee's interpretation of the rules, questioning the consistency of the judgment compared to previous incidents.