Two international players sent off after pulling star with the longest hair in world football
A 'cheat code' footballer has gone viral after two players were sent off for pulling his hair in crazy scenes in an international fixture.
Anguilla, one of the lowest-ranked teams in the world, took on Antigua and Barbuda in the Concacaf Nations League and were soundly beaten 5-0 away from home.
But the hosts had two players sent off in the second half because of Aedan Scipio.
The 36-year-old entered the fray in the 68th minute and it was his presence that brought the sending offs of Keon Greene and Shalon Knight.
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Scipio, who plays for the Roaring Lions, sports incredibly long dreadlocks that nearly come to his feet.
And it was those locks which saw the double dismal of both Greene and Knight. It is the first time in history that two players have been sent off in the same game for hair pulling.
A clip of both incidents quickly racked up views online and saw Scipio branded a 'cheat code'.
In the first instance, Scipio regained possession in his own area and Greene tugged on his hair. Scipio reacted angrily and then the referee swiftly produced the red card for Greene.
A carbon copy scenario happened deep in stoppage time when Scipio advanced up the pitch and Knight grabbed a chunk of his hair when attempting to stop him.
Scipio dropped to the floor and Knight saw red, with Antigua and Barbuda finishing the victory with nine men and without two of their players for their next meeting with Anguilla on Friday.
What are the rules on hair pulling in football?
Hair pulling in football has become increasingly more common in recent times, with three players all sent off in the Premier League last season.
Michael Keane and Dan Ballard were both sent off for pulling the hair of Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare, while Lisandro Martinez was also given his marching orders for grabbing Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in a clash between Manchester United and Leeds United.
The laws of the game consider hair pulling to be an act of violent conduct and it typically carries a three-match suspension.
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The Premier League did amend regulations with clearer guidelines, with a yellow card the punishment for a hair pull where it is not deemed to be excessive.
Everton defender Keane appealed his sending off and it was argued there was no intent or force behind the hair pull.
However, two appeals - one for the overturning and a second to reduce the suspension, were both unsuccessful.
The Football Association's panel included three former players and they ultimately voted 2:1 that the red card was not incorrect and three games was not an excessive sanction.
Josh Lawless