ONLY CESC FABREGAS will know what he was thinking as he booted the ball towards the referee and a crowd of players last night before striking Chris Brunt flush on the head.
The only reasonable explanation we can come up with is that he wanted an extra week’s holidays and saw that moment as the perfect opportunity to plot his early release.
Mike Jones had little hesitation in brandishing the red card, a decision which has left Jose Mourinho incensed at the prospect of his midfielder facing a two-game ban when the action resumes in August.
But, believe it or not, there have been a couple of other bizarre dismissals down the years which left us scratching our head and the guilty party heading for an early bath.
Eden Hazard and the ball boy incident
Not that a trend is developing here but Chelsea were at the forefront of a bizarre incident a couple of seasons ago when Eden Hazard was given his marching orders for kicking out at a ball-boy.
Chris Morgan, who referred to himself as the ‘King of Ballboys’ was running down the clock by employing delaying tactics during the Blues’ League Cup semi-final at Swansea and Hazard’s frustrations boiled over.
We just love the reaction of the ball boy as he rolls around in agony, clutching his stomach before being helped off by the physio.
Referee Chris Foy produced the red and Hazard later apologised to Morgan.
Mascherano’s outburst
We all know Javier Mascherano is a bit of a terrier on the pitch but he showed his aggressive side off it too when he saw red for kicking out at a medic during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
The former Liverpool man was being stretched off but wasn’t best pleased with the way the medic was driving the buggy and lashed out.
“The stretcher was going too fast and I was about to fall. I warned him (the driver) and he ignored me, but what I did was not justified,” he said afterwards.
There clearly wasn’t anything wrong with him as he hopped off the buggy when he saw red being shown in his direction.
An instant impact
3.7 seconds. That’s how long Wycombe’s Matt McClure lasted after coming off the bench before seeing red. From the kick-out, he was adjudged to have elbowed his opponent and was heading straight back down the tunnel. Wonder did he get his match appearance fee?
El-Hadji Diouf being El-Hadji-Diouf
Having scored a penalty at one end, the Senegalese international proceeded to run towards the away fans and make a naughty gesture to the Brighton supporters. His manager Brian McDermott said he ‘can’t understand Diouf’ and Leeds fined him two weeks wages.
A case of mistaken identity
Poor old Andre Marriner. He thought he may the correct call after spotting a hand stop Eden Hazard’s goal bound shot cross the line but unfortunately he wasn’t too sure who’s hand it was.
Despite protesting his innocence, Kieran Gibbs had to trudge off for the foul committed by his team mate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Marriner issued an apology to both players afterwards but Arsenal lost 6-0.
Which one do you think is the most bizarre or have we missed an unusual red card?
That’s some money for Ibra!
That’ll be over £30m a year between him and Rooney. Lunacy.
And probably 12 goals between them!
55 between them last season
Rooney hasn’t looked a good player in about 3/4 years now and while Zlatan has been scoring for fun in France, I amn’t convinced he’ll have the same joy in England.
Fine then 20 goals in 33 CL games with PSG and 62 in 112 international appearances
IBRA is a cracking player but 34 million is a joke
Ed Woodward is clueless
325k a week – around the same as Rooney.
How much commercial revenue will he bring in?
A lot of names on backs of shirts I’d say.
Moyes got a 6 year contract, LVG 3 years, Mourinho 2. At this rate Mourinho’s successor will get a 5 game contract
3 year contract, no?
Inevitable
Storms a’ coming
My two favourite men in football are going to United. Sickening.
Not sure about Mourihno as a person or as a fit for United, but it’ll be fun to see how it goes, if nothing else. Ibra’s probably the third most well-known player in the world. They’ll probably make most of the 34 million back in shirt sales, merchandise etc.
Yup, if I remember correctly, Ronaldo’s 80M transfer to Real was paid in just 6 months through shirt sales
Plus that’s a lot of letters on the back of the jersey $$
Pure speculation . I heard paddy Crerand saying ibrahimovic could be goin to caley thistle . Where do these guys get their info from ffs..,
Let the games begin!
Wenger probably thought he saw the back of Jose after their antics over the years…no getting rid of him, Arsene.
There is no way he will do any of that special one crap…. At Man Utd, that is earned at Man Utd…..
Thats the spirit! :)
United is a special club and Jose knows he needs to earn it. Well said.
Don’t underestimate the arrogance of the man. He knows United need him more than he’ll ever need them. He’ll be a great appointment though and is the perfect man to get them on the right path to challenge for the league again.
I can hear the grinding teeth of the ABU’s. Surprised they have any left at this stage….lol
Nah we’re looking forward to the entertainment, and I don’t mean on the pitch cos there will be none!
Love how the bitter scouse crystal ball couldn’t see the 3-1 education coming from Sevilla last week but it can see everything else .
Wow, but United fans are delusional. He would need to spend £500m to make them competitive again with that squad.
I reckon you pulled that £500m figure from the top of your head Willie rather than from even a semi reputable source. I think you’ll find you’re the delusional one :-)
Zlatan?! Ffs!
Is this headline based on a tweet from Jim white??!!!
Hmmmmmmmmm
Its nothing ta do with revenue those kind of wages for any player is a joke especially players at 34 years of age ,hopefully he will let the young lads come true along with a few good signings
Philip, Ibra will be on a free transfer so because there’s no fee involved in signing him (whatever club that may be ??) His wages are affordable.