Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has questioned the consistency of officiating at the World Cup after comparing Themba Zwane’s controversial red card against Mexico to an incident involving Lionel Messi.

Zwane received his marching orders in the 82nd minute after he was adjudged to have swung an arm at Roberto Alvarado in their defeat to Mexico.

The Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker has since been served with a three match suspension following the red card he received against Mexico last Thursday.

Broos argued that Zwane’s three-match suspension was excessively harsh, insisting that a similar challenge by Messi in Argentina’s victory over Algeria went unpunished, leaving him frustrated by what he believes are differing standards being applied.

“First of all, I think that the red card is too severe,” Broos said.

“I saw the situation where Themba got the red card, I don’t think it was a red card.

“When I saw what happened with Messi yesterday (the Argentinean escaped a red card during the South Americans’ 3-0 win against Algeria following a studs-up challenge on Aissa Mandi), I don’t agree, certainly not.

“I think there was not even a VAR with Messi.”