5 most ridiculous red cards in football history

#4. David Healy vs. Wales, 2004

If you thought that Sterling could feel aggrieved over his celebration-based red card, save a thought for David Healy. The Northern Ireland striker was dismissed in a 2006 World Cup qualifying game in 2004 against Wales – a game that actually saw three men sent off by referee Domenico Messina. The first two red cards – for Michael Hughes and Robbie Savage following an off-the-ball scuffle – were totally justified, but nobody sane could justify the Healy sending off.

Northern Ireland were already 1-0 up when Healy raced through on goal following a slip from James Collins and subsequently lifted the ball over goalkeeper Paul Jones to nod into the empty net. Healy went on to celebrate the goal by apparently gesturing to his father in the crowd with a bit of a fist-pump, and then did a flying kick into the corner flag. Hardly offensive or questionable, but clearly it ticked off the Italian referee, as he sent Healy off – not a straight red, but two bookings – one for the fist-pump and one for the kick.

It was a baffling decision to say the least, although the two yellow cards rather than a straight red were a blessing in disguise as it meant that Healy was only hit with a one-match ban rather than the three-match one for a straight sending off. Naturally, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez was furious, labelling Messina’s performance “disappointing” and “strange”, and claiming something must’ve been lost in translation to cause the sending off. You don’t say!