Footballers have been sent off for bad tackles, handballs and violent conduct, but not many have received a red card for saying their own name.
That was the case last night in English non-league football when Hemel Hempstead Town player Sanchez Watt saw red in the National League South game against East Thurrock United.
During Hemel’s 2-0 victory, in which Watt scored, the former Arsenal man was called over by referee Dean Hulme for reportedly kicking the ball away.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
In reaching for his yellow card, the official asked the Hemel player for his name and he said “Watt”. Hulme replied with “what?” and then asked the player for his name again to which he was again told “Watt”.
Believing that Watt was showing dissent for questioning his decision, the yellow card turned to a red.
Thankfully for Watt it was only after Hemel captain Jordan Parkes explained to the referee about the misunderstanding that the red card was rescinded and the yellow was issued as originally planned.
Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Hemel Hempstead chairman Dave Boggins revealed that referee Hulme apologised for the mix-up.
“It was a human error,” said Boggins. “The referee was man enough to rectify it. I think everybody found it amusing afterwards - including the referee.
“He came into the boardroom after the game and explained how he had made the mistake. He was very apologetic and saw the funny side of it. He was a good ref on the night to be fair to him.”
As Boggins said, everyone found the incident amusing, including many Twitter users. We pick out some of the best reaction to the “Watt, what” red card.
Wait, what? Or should it be Watt?
A blow-by-blow account.
“Watt a mistake to make”.
“Unbelievable”.
“Brilliant”.
Hemel Hempstead Town had some fun today on Twitter.
