FOOTBALL is an emotive sport. Passions run high among players, managers and fans and it is up to the referee to keep a lid on things.
Many people don’t envy the job of the officials who are often in a no-win situation. However, the man in black, or these days yellow, or green… don’t do themselves any favours.
New England Revolution’s Kei Kamara was booked at the weekend for celebrating a goal by twerking in his side’s MLS 3-0 win over Montreal Impact.
But the ex-Middlesbrough striker is not alone when it comes to bizarre cautions. SunSport takes a look at some of the weirdest bookings in the world of football.
IBRAHIMA TOURE was booked while playing for Dubai-based side Al Nasr...for doing a handstand.
The ex-Monaco striker was playing against Al Sharjah and while he was waiting for a corner to be taken he decided, as you do, to do a handstand!
It proved not to be a universally popular decision as an angry opponent ran over to confront him and the ref showed him a yellow!
PAUL GASCOIGNE was never far away from controversy and was no stranger to the odd caution.
But he was bizarrely booked by an over-officious ref on December 30 1995 while playing for Rangers against Hibernian.
Referee Dougie Smith dropped his yellow cards on the pitch and Gazza picked them up and playfully flashed the clumsy ref a yellow.
But the official did not see the funny side and he in turn cautioned the colourful ex-Spurs and Lazio midfield ace
SPARE a thought for former Servette midfielder Paulo Diogo, who was cautioned...for effectively ripping off his finger!
His joy at setting up an 87th-minute goal soon turned to pain as he sprinted over to the delirious fans and jumped up on to the metal fence to celebrate with them.
However, his wedding ring got caught and he ripped off his finger. Doctors later failed to re-attach and the remaining part of the digit was amputated. And to add insult to injury, referee Florian Etter booked him for time-wasting!!
Radoslav Kovac was clearly irritated by a pitch invader during a Moscow derby in July 2008. The Spartak captain's side were trailing 2-1 to Lokomotiv.
Kovac was having none of it when the shirtless male dashed past him so the Czech international decided to trip him up with kick to the ankles, sending the giddy supporter crashing to the deck. He then forcibly helped remove him from the pitch His reward for his actions was a yellow card.
DEAN WINDASS was not even on the pitch when he was booked for his gamesmanship while playing for Hull against Stoke in November 2008.
The portly striker was under orders from Tigers boss Phil Brown to hamper Potters' Rory Delap's notorious long throw-ins.
So, as any good player did, he listened to his boss promptly began warming up on the touchline and basically made a nuisance of himself with a theatrical warm-up as Delap prepared to take a throw-in.
Referee Keith Stroud, though, was far from impressed and showed Windass a yellow card for ungentlemanly conduct.
Jan Gunnar Solli is hardly a household name on these shores. But the ex-Norway midfielder is probably remembered most in his home country for one of his yellow cards.
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His Hammarby side were 5-0 up against Degerfoswhen he scooped a pass into his shirt to try and beat an opponent. His improvisation, though, only earned him a caution from the ref, while an opponent told him what he thought of his antics.
IT SEEMS there is just not enough love in the world - and that might have something to do with over-zealous referees!
Alessandro Florenzi decided to share in his glory after scoring for Roma against Cagliari by running into the stand and giving his gran a kiss and a hug!
It was the first time she had ever seen her grandson play at the Stadio Olimpico. However, Florenzi will probably hope she doesn't turn up again as he was fined for picking up an "avoidable" booking!
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