Ollie Norburn was shown a red card in the 19th minute of Saturday's League Two clash between Notts County and Chesterfield after a moment former referee Mike Dean described as "absolute madness".
The bizarre incident took place just two minutes after Armando Dobra opened the scoring for visitors Chesterfield.
In fact, Dobra was looking to make something happen on the edge of the penalty area when a frustrated Norburn, who was already on a yellow card, managed to somehow get away with a suspect tackle.
Referee Matt Corlett let play continue but seconds later, he brandished a red card after Norburn decided to throw one of Dobra's pink boots into the Meadow Lane crowd after it came off during the tackle.
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Michael Dawson, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports on Saturday, looked on in a state of disbelief as he looked towards the rest of the Soccer Saturday panel.
Crystal Palace legend Clinton Morrison found the funny side of Norburn's outburst. "His boot was in the way of where he was going to run," he laughed. "It's never (a red card). It's just a laugh, come on now!"
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, on the other hand, gave a more serious take on the matter. "It's just absolute madness," he said. "I have never seen anything like that before, if I'm honest with you."
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the incident.
One said: "Clearing the pitch of an object is a yellow card offence? The ball was still in play and the stray boot could have caused injury or affected the path of the ball. Throwing it towards the touchline/off the pitch should never have been a card."
A second commented: "Unsportsmanlike conduct - correct decision," and another wrote: "Norburn owes the fans an apology. Ridiculous thing to be sent off for but on a yellow so early you need to behave. He's lost his head."
Thoughts on the incident? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Sky Sports, League Two
Jack Kenmare