A FOOTBALLER was sent off in extraordinary circumstances after he poked a finger up an opponent’s bum.
The Mexican league match between Queretaro and Atlas saw defender Omar Mendoza trying to get under a rival’s skin – literally.
https://twitter.com/deividmedrano/status/1697083271119864273?s=20Omar Mendoza stuck a finger up the bum of a rival[/caption]
https://twitter.com/deividmedrano/status/1697083271119864273?s=20The act left fans disgusted[/caption]
A sensational video shows the moment the 34-year-old Queretaro star jostles with Atlas midfielder Juan Zapata.
With Zapata, 23, shielding the ball on the halfway line, Mendoza then employed his shock tactic to try and win the ball.
Referee Fernando Hernandez Gomez initially missed the incident.
However, VAR soon intervened and asked him to head to the monitor.
And following a quick look at the screen, the ref then issued Mendoza with a red card.
The two stars involved in the bizarre incident also proved pivotal in how the match concluded.
Mendoza’s 62nd minute sending off proved detrimental as Atlas won the game 2-1 thanks to an injury-time winner from Zapata.
Even the ref has his share of bizarre history, having been suspended for 12 matches in April after kneeing a player in the groin during a Liga MX match.
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Amazingly, however, Cruz Azul defender Willer Ditta defended Mendoza’s actions, insisting it was “normal” for players to act this way.
He said: “It’s very normal for us to do that kind of thing. The referees always take their measures and it is respectable.
“These are situations that happen to you there. Suddenly it crosses your mind and comes out of nowhere, but the referees make their decisions.”
Fans were left stunned by the act, taking to Twitter to share their disgust.
One fan wrote: “Lmao ref had zero hesitation. Watched the replay for about half a second and said you know what I don’t need this, red card it is.”
A second typed: “Imagine your kids and wife watching you play and you do this.”
“Absolutely disgusting, hope he’s given a long ban,” declared a third.
A fourth remarked: “Can’t believe someone would do this and then have the audacity to try and play dumb and act innocent!”
“I love that as soon as the referee makes the VAR sign, Omar Mendoza puts on a [shocked] face,” commented a fifth.
Another said tongue-in-cheek: “Games gone. Could’ve gotten away with this 10 years ago but VAR has to ruin everything!”
While another joked: “The question is, did he smell his hand afterwards? ”
The two teams have a heated history in recent years, with a match in March 2022 needing to be abandoned due to fan violence.