Article by Andra Mocanu – Published Sunday, February 15, 2026, 3:50 p.m. / Updated Sunday, February 15, 2026 4:02 p.m.
Anthony Caci (28), the current player of Mainz, revealed in an interview that he deliberately forced a yellow card while playing in Strasbourg so he could spend time with his girlfriend, Laury Avril.
The episode dates back to October 7, 2021, in a Ligue 1 match against Nantes. The 28-year-old defender knew he was close to suspension and decided to take advantage of the situation to take a break.
PHOTO. The incredible revelations of Anthony Caci » What he did to see his girlfriend: “I also told my friends”
“I was at a stage in the season where if I saw another yellow card I would have been suspended. I needed to breathe a little and see someone in private: my girlfriend. I knew I would get a card because I wanted to rest the following weekend and thus have time for her“, said Anthony Caci, according to abola.pt.
The left-back explained how he planned the moment to receive the disciplinary sanction, which came in the 16th minute of the game. The strategy was previously shared with friends.
“I announced to my friends that I would receive a card that minute. And so it happened. It was at Nantes, the opponent had the ball and I, who never make tackles, had a strong entry. No one understood, not my coach, not my teammates, not me actually. It's a beautiful story. I pretended to be upset that I got the yellow in front of the referee, but in the end that's what I wanted,” he confessed.
Years later, Caci does not regret his decision, considering that the strategy had a positive outcome in his personal life: “Today, I have a son with my girlfriend, so maybe it was that little extra, that little dose of madness between us that made it work.”
Anthony Caci trained at the Strasbourg juniors, the team for which he made his senior football debut. After 4 years at the French team, he arrived free of contract at Mainz. He is quoted by specialized websites at 10 million euros, and he is currently unavailable due to an injury.
