In October 2000, the fastest red card in history was given after the starting whistle. During a match between the local rival teams- Cross Farm Park Celtic and Taunton East Reach Wanderers, referee Peter Kearle showed the red card to striker Lee Todd just seconds into the game.
But the question is, why did he do it? The answer is quite absurd. When the referee blew the starting whistle, Todd felt that sound right into his ears. So, he bent down and muttered, “fuck me, ref, that was loud!” and in the next second, before understanding anything at all, he was off the field with a red card. Referee Peter cited “foul and abusive behaviour” as the cause.
This incident is one of the most bizarre red cards in football history. But the list didn’t end there. Many weird red card incidents have happened in the field that was often very entertaining and also ridiculous at times.
Now there are hundreds of red-card incidents that people think were terrible from certain perceptions, but keeping some pointers in mind, we could only pick ten that, according to us, were ridiculous ones. We observed some facts like whether it was intended to play the ball or to hurt the opposing player. But some incidents landed in here because of the brutal injuries they caused. So, let’s now take a look at the top 9 most ridiculous red cards in football history.
1. Wes Brown
After coming back from injury, Wes Brown was just starting his second league. But Kevin Friend dismissed him as he did a sliding tackle on Charlie Adam in the 36th minute. The tackle was delivered at speed, but it appeared to be harmless and had no contact virtually. But he was sent back by the referee, which pissed off the Sunderland captain, John O’Shea. John later expressed that he hopes common sense will prevail and the Football Association will overturn this ridiculous red card decision.
2. Robin Van Persie
Van Persie’s red card is one of the most debated red cards in recent times. Referee Arsene Wenger stated the marching orders to Robin as he ostensibly kicked away the ball. He stated that it was a total joke and that he kicked the ball as “killing” his side’s Champion league tie with Barca. Robin argued that he couldn’t hear the sound of the whistle, and that’s why he went for his shot. But Wegner didn’t say anything regarding wearing that terrible coat.
3. Hakan Unsal
Rivaldo, proving himself an unconvincing actor, was clutching his face by the corner flag in the 2002 World Cup. He was acting as if he had taken a hammer to his jaw. But what the actual incident was, Hakkan Unsal softly struck hit the ball at his knee. But the referee showed him the red card for a second offense. Rivaldo, on the other hand, got a £5,180 fine for playacting.
4. Kaka
Abdul Kader Keita followed the same disgusting acting method as Rivaldo in the 2010 World Cup. He was clutching down his face just because Kaka, the Brazilian football star, brushed him in the chest with his arm. It was such a simple tackle, but Kaka had to receive his marching orders. Dunga, the then Brazilian coach, declared that this decision was utterly unjustified.
5. Keith Gillespie
This incident is weird and quite foolish. Keith got to the field as a substitute for Derek Geary. But before the referee blew the whistle, Keith elbowed Reading’s Stephen Hunt in the face. As a consequence, Keith was sent back down the tunnel immediately before even kicking the ball.
6. David Healy
This is probably one of the meanest red cards that have ever happened in football history. Right after scoring against Wales in the World Cup qualifying game, this Northern Ireland football player received two yellow cards in quick succession. The reason behind this was Healy kicked a corner flag while celebrating his score. He gestured to his dad in the crowd non-offensively, but Domenico Messian sent him off, saying that his action was inappropriate.
7. Gianfranco Zola
This is another heart-breaking red card out there. Gianfranco Zola was playing his final World Cup in 1994. He was first tackled by the opponent player, but when he went on to take the ball, the referee declared his marching orders. This incident was rather shocking and unjustified.
8. Laurent Blanc
We all agree that Laurent Blanc was clearly on the wrong side as he pulled the opponent player’s jersey, and of course, his flailing arm deserves a yellow card. But the replays clearly showed that Blanc didn’t even touch the opponent, and the whole situation was just playacting. In spite of hardly hurting anyone, Blanc got a red card. Just imagine how pathetic it is to send a player off when you clearly see the evidence in the replays on a World Cup Semi-finale.
9. Josip Simunic
This is probably one of the most hilarious red car incidents ever, as this red card resulted from three yellow cards. It’s very important for a referee to keep his count. But referee Graham Poll made a fool of himself when he showed Croatian Simunic three yellow cards before showing the red one. This actually made the English referees a laughing stock for us.
Final thoughts
So, what’s your opinion about our list of top 9 ridiculous red cards in football? Do you think the referees and players sometimes do lose their sense while monitoring the game? What do you think would be the reason behind this? I believe their passion sometimes gets to their head and numbs their ability to think. Comment down and share your thoughts on this with us!
