Salford City Goalkeeper Was Red-Carded Not Because Of Aggressive Play But…
Max Crocombe.
Normally, whenever a footballer receives a red card from the referee, it is because they had committed a dangerous foul or caused misconduct toward another player.
However, a New Zealand Under-23 international goalkeeper was sent off from a match without even acting aggressively, but rather due to impropriate behaviour while goalkeeping.
Max Crocombe, goalkeeper for UK football club Salford City FC, was kicked out of a match on October 28 after he urinated beside his goalpost, reported The Independent.
Apparently, the New Zealander did not want to ask for the match to pause so he could answer the call of nature in the restroom, as usually the case for amateur football, so decided to urinate next to his goalpost at the 87th minute.
Match officials caught Crocombe in the act, and he was immediately sent off with a red card.
The spectators, who were focusing on the ball, were understandably confused by the referee’s decision at first as they did not witness the goalkeeper’s act.
Even the officials from Salford City and their opponent Bradford Park Avenue initially had no idea what was happening, and tweeted their confusion.
Max Crocombe, goalkeeper for UK football club Salford City FC, was kicked out of a match on October 28 after he urinated beside his goalpost, reported The Independent.
Apparently, the New Zealander did not want to ask for the match to pause so he could answer the call of nature in the restroom, as usually the case for amateur football, so decided to urinate next to his goalpost at the 87th minute.
Match officials caught Crocombe in the act, and he was immediately sent off with a red card.
The spectators, who were focusing on the ball, were understandably confused by the referee’s decision at first as they did not witness the goalkeeper’s act.
Even the officials from Salford City and their opponent Bradford Park Avenue initially had no idea what was happening, and tweeted their confusion.
86' - RED CARD! This is bizarre. Salford goalkeeper Max Crocombe has been dismissed and no one knows why... #greenarmy (1-2)
All 533 spectators and club officials soon learned of Crocombe’s unprofessional act mid-match. Midfielder Richie Allen had to take in Crocombe’s post, as Salford’s three substitutions were already used up.
87' - We can confirm that Crocombe has been sent off for urinating during the game. We are not joking. #greenarmy (1-2)
Fortunately for Salford City, the shameful misconduct by one of their players was compensated after they emerged from the match victorious, with a 2-1 win over Bradford Park.
Crocombe quickly apologised to his fans on Twitter, saying he made an error in judgement which spoiled a great win.
“He was told by the steward twice not to do it and he went ahead and had a pee,” club secretary Colin Barker said after the match, as according to RT.
As a consequence of his actions, Crocombe is facing a suspension of at least three matches, and it could be more depending on the discretion by the Football Association.
The 24-year-old lad ought to be ashamed of himself. As the goalkeeper for the New Zealand national youth team, he should have shown a more professional attitude on the pitch.
Both teams were playing in the National League North, which is the sixth tier of English football.
-- mD
