Thetownend.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qzQ3qjzomo

stupid by the ref's decision or stupid for getting involved?

Both.

i think he should be commended for getting the cunt in a mankini off the pitch.
as an aside - anyone who wears a mankini should be put down

Why don't refs stand their ground and book anyone who gets up in their grill? That ref runs backwards away from players for about half a minute.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/jA-xNzUFF_I

That's how to treat streakers.

i agree entirely, he's meant to be the power but he's a pussy

Not sure what the rule is, but if the rules say he should be sent off then the ref has no choice. Agree with axs about the running away thing though. Just encourages the players to chase them.

Maybe he felt lonely? There were more people on the pitch than in the stands  :)

He was sent off for violent conduct. Plainly ridiculous. Even if he'd tackled another player to the floor like that, unless the guy had been clean through on goal, it would have been a harsh red. But all he was doing was helping the stewards who'd already demonstrated they were completely unable to catch the bloke to remove him so play could resume. The ref should be made to officiate any future matches in the intruder's mankini as a mark of shame

I'm sure if a couple of refs started dishing out cards immediately for anyone getting up in their grill, sometimes that can be an entire team, they would soon stop doing it.

When i saw the title, i thought this would be about Van Persie. That was a stupid red. Whether anyone agrees with the rule or not, he was a massive clown for shooting after the whistle - and the look on his face immediately after he'd done it showed that the crowd noise excuse was a load of bollocks.

Ban got withdrawn :)

Fair game for mullering streakers now.