Referee kicks player, sends him off! Yes you read it right

The incident took place in a Ligue 1 game last month and the fallout continues.

FC Nantes hosted Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in a Ligue 1 match at the Stade de la Beaujoire in mid-January of 2018. Angel di Maria’s 12th-minute strike was enough to seal all the three points for the visitors who took to the field without Neymar in the squad.

However, the world witnessed a bizarre event on the football pitch that evening when referee Tony Chapron swung out his right foot aiming a deliberate kick at Nantes’ Diego Carlos.

It was in 90+1’ minute of the game when the Nantes defender charged forward to join his side’s counter-attack in the PSG half and the referee went tumbling down on the ground when his heels were clipped, although accidentally, by the Brazilian defender. The referee tried to retaliate which took everyone by surprise.

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Carlos, who was already cautioned earlier in the match, was booked for the second time by the French ref, which saw him get sent off. The French Football Federation (FFF) suspended the referee with immediate effect until a clear-cut decision was taken while Carlos was deemed guilt-free and his red card was overturned.

Watch video of the incident

After the incident, Chepron said, “The Nantes player, Diego Carlos, crashed into me.”

“At the time of the collision, I felt a sharp pain where I had recently suffered an injury. My unfortunate reaction was to stick my leg out towards the player."

But he deeply regretted his behaviour calling it “clumsy” and “inappropriate”.

On 1st February 2018, the French FA announced a six-month ban on Chapron, half of which is suspended. Reports from France’s refereeing body say that he would be available for selection once he has served his suspension. But it is learnt that the 45-year old ref had already decided to retire at the end of this season several weeks prior to the incident.