5 most ridiculous red cards in football history

#3. Robin Van Persie vs. Barcelona, 2011

Referees across Europe have often been criticised for being biased towards Barcelona, but most of the time the arguments tend to be unrealistic at best and mean-spirited at worst. On the odd occasion though, it seems like the critics have a point, and that was definitely the case when Arsenal faced Barca in the 2011 Champions League last-16.

After Arsenal won the first leg 2-1, Barcelona had their backs to the wall and they took the lead through Lionel Messi, only for Arsenal to equalize through a Sergio Busquets own goal. Then came the turning point; Van Persie, who had been booked for a foul earlier in the game, shot towards goal after the whistle had gone for an offside. Van Persie claimed he hadn’t heard the whistle due to the crowd noise in the packed Nou Camp, but evidently referee Massimo Busacca didn’t believe him, as he showed the Dutch striker his second yellow card.

Barcelona went on to score another two goals – winning the tie 4-3 – and Arsenal were left licking their wounds. Arsene Wenger claimed the sending off “killed the tie”, while Van Persie himself labelled the decision an “absolute joke”. Given there was around a second between the whistle going and Van Persie’s shot, you’d have to argue that both men probably had a point. This was ludicrous refereeing.