Giroud: Verratti “threw himself to the ground”

Olivier Giroud spoke out today about the incident that cost him a second yellow card and suspension for the Basel game. He had some words about the behavior of Marco Verratti and Marquinhos:

I made a small challenge on Verratti but he threw himself on to the ground. I didn’t understand, so I asked him: ‘What are you doing?’ Then he got up quickly and Marquinhos pushed me from behind. I don’t know how Verratti fell over a second time.

Giroud also said he “didn’t go looking for trouble”, so that’s good I guess? Anyway, it sounds like he’s as puzzled by the second yellow as we all are. It was a bizarre incident, and whether it was deserved or not, Giroud now misses Basel’s visit to the Emirates on September 28.