While Cristiano Ronaldo’s impending five-game ban is dominating the headlines, he’s not the first player to be reprimanded for coming into contact with the referee.
Here, we look back at five other examples when players lost their heads on the pitch.
In no particular order, we kick things off with a certain Italian…
And it’s a good way to start.
SEPTEMBER 1998
Arguably the most famous incident out of them all.
Yes, Paul Alcock’s stuttering fall to the deck has been used in a few comedy sketches down the years, but the truth is, Paolo Di Canio pushed the referee with some force after being sent-off following a tussle with Patrick Vieira during Sheffield Wednesday’s home clash with Arsenal.
He was handed an 11-match suspension and fined £10,000.
Di Canio loses his mind.
MARCH 2005
Most people will remember this one…
Southampton midfielder David Prutton was given a 10-match ban after he shoved referee Alan Wiley.
The incident occurred during the Saints’ home clash against Arsenal – and further added to then boss Harry Redknapp’s relegation woes.
Prutton was also slapped with a £6,000 fine for laying his hands on Wiley, in which he received a second booking for a mistimed challenge on Robert Pires.
Prutton’s red mist cost Saints.
NOVEMBER 2016
Guarani defender Ferreira completely lost his head during a third division Brazilian League clash against Boa.
The 32-year-old went berserk when the referee had adjudged he had elbowed an opposition forward – and subsequently pushed the official to the ground.
Players on both sides tried to intervene and stop Ferreira’s momentum as the ref pulled out his red card.
Didn’t hold back: Ferreira.
FEBRUARY 2017
Blackburn Rovers’ Hope Akpan was handed a four-match ban and fined £5,000 by the Football Association after pushing referee Scott Duncan during their defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
The confrontation took place after the man in charge had disallowed his goal for handball.
Akpan was soon given his marching orders.
A rush of blood from Hope Akpan.
OCTOBER 2015
New England Revolution midfielder Jermaine Jones created headlines after confronting and pushing referee Mark Geiger during the club’s MLS play-off defeat to D.C United.
Jones’ reaction was over the top after he felt his team should have been awarded a penalty.
The only reward he received was a red card.
Lost control: Jones.
And it’s not just players getting in trouble, back in September 2012, then Newcastle boss Alan Pardew pushed assistant referee Stuart Burt.
He was sent-off and handed a two-match ban, on top of a £20,000 fine.