Elliot Anderson Shown Straight Red Card in Moment That Has Baffled Fans

Viewers were left scratching their heads when Elliot Anderson was shown a straight red in the final stages of Thursday night's Europa League clash between Nottingham Forest and Braga.

Anderson will miss Forest's final league phase match against Ferencvaros later this month after being sent off at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

With three minutes of stoppage time remaining, a frustrated Anderson appeared to have a word with referee Igor Pajac, who looked like he was about to blow his whistle for a foul when he was approached by the midfielder.

Moments later, Pajac brandished a red card in the direction of a bemused Anderson.

"No idea why. Unless Elliot Anderson said something," said TNT Sports commentator Steve McManaman. "He must call him something because he is nowhere near the ball. There was no pause - the red card was out straight away."

Here's how fans reacted to the incident on social media.

One said: "The red card made no sense & no explanation why he got sent off," and a second commented: "I just physically don’t get what Anderson could have said to get a straight red so quickly."

A third wrote: "Anyone confirmed yet why Elliot Anderson got that straight red card? What did he say to the referee cos there was no foul moment? I’m sure he must have said something ridiculous but wanna know what."

A fourth added: "Elliot Anderson is shown a straight red in stoppage time at the end of the second half. Never seen that before in a football match for saying something to the referee."

It was an evening to forget for Sean Dyche and his Nottingham Forest side as they suffered a 1-0 defeat following an own goal from Ryan Yates.

They will have to beat Hungarian side Ferencvaros at the City Ground next week and hope other results go their way if they want to avoid the play-off round and finish in the top eight.

Speaking in his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Ryan Yates gave his thoughts on the result.

"Very disappointing. I feel we controlled most parts of the game," he said.

"A very good team away from home. I thought we stifled them in the first half. We had opportunities to make a breakthrough. Then, I unfortunately make a mistake at the other end. Then we could never get a foothold in the game after that.

"When you get handed an opportunity and you don't take it, you get punished. I have to hold my hands up. I should have done better.

"We are frustrated as I think we have done enough to win the game. Frustrating when results don't go your way. We have missed an opportunity and that's why we're frustrated - not that we were terrible on the night."

Yates added: "Fine margins. We have to keep working and put that right. We are still in a solid position in the competition. No negativity in the dressing room, that's for sure."