Red cards in football are meant to be something to display discipline and control of the game by the officiating team – but sometimes this is not the case and some players are sent off for the most bizarre reasons.
Dominique Janssen’s controversial red card last night in the Women’s Super League has made us think of 5 of the most silly sending offs, whether its from a bad temper, over-exaggeration or officiating mistakes.
Here they are –
Hakan Unsal v Brazil:
The Turkish wingback was sent off through no fault of his own, instead it was play-acting by Brazilian sensation Rivaldo.
The winger took his time in collecting the ball to take a corner kick and due to this Unsal got frustrated and kicked the ball at the Brazilian’s legs, causing him to fall to the ground, but holding his face not one of his legs.
Due to his play-acting, the referee fell victim to the over-exaggeration game and sent off the defender for an offence that was worthy of a yellow card, not a red.
Edison Cavani v RC Lens:
Whilst tearing it up for Paris Saint Germian in Ligue 1, Cavani was given his marching orders after the referee took charge when he scored a penalty to take PSG 3-1 up.
The referee was not a fan of the mimicking of a gun that the Uruguanyan decided to use as his celebration or perhaps he beleieved he was show boasting too much considering they were already winning.
The former Manchester United player was shown his first yellow card for his celebration then his second a couple minutes later for showing his disagreement over being given his first card.
Josip Simunic v Australia:
Whilst representating Croatia in the World Cup 2002, in a match against Australia, Simunic created history by being the first player to be shown 3 yellow cards.
The croatian remained in the game after being given his second yellow card and then was shown the red card after picking up his third yellow card.
Referee Graham Poll, resigned shortly after this match and issued a public apology for his major officiating mistake.
Keiran Gibbs v Chelsea:
What ended in a match that Arsenal would want to forget, as they lost 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, they also had one baizarre of a sending off.
Whilst only being 2-0 down, Eden Hazard’s effort on goal was handballed on the goal line which ultiamtely led to Gibbs being sent off – but it wasn’t him that commited the handball crime.
It was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who performed the handball, after heated debates, Gibbs was still sent off whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain remained on the pitch.
Eric Cantona v Crystal Palace:
Known for his footballing talents and a hot headed temper, Cantona had his fair few run-ins whilst being invovled in the beautfil game.
The Frenchman in a Premier League match against Crystal Palace saw red and booted defender Richard Shaw and referee Alan Wilkie had no choiced but to send Cantona for an early shower.
His temper did not stop him there. Whilst being taunted by the Palace supporters for his dismisaal, Cantona thought he would get his own back as he launched a kick at Matthew Simmons in the stands – due to this, the forward was left to face a 9 month ban from the game as well as criminal charges for the assault.
Could the rest of this season in the Women’s Super League and Premier League delight us with more bizarre and mind-boggling red cards or will the referees and players behave themselves?
