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Angry fan calls cops after Manchester United’s Nani gets red card

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir shows Manchester United midfielder Nani the red card to send him off during a Champions League match against Real Madrid.
(Andrew Yates / AFP/Getty Images)
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It’s safe to say that the red card against Manchester United midfielder Nani in the club’s Champions League match against Real Madrid on Tuesday was a controversial decision. Some might go as far as to call it a crime.

No, seriously, someone actually picked up the phone, called the police and reported the red card against Nani as a crime.

United was ahead, 1-0, in the 56th minute when Nani stretched his leg trying to control the ball but caught Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa in the chest with the studs of his right shoe. Nani was red-carded, then Madrid scored two quick goals and went on to claim a 2-1 victory and advance to the quarterfinals, 3-2, on aggregate.

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An unidentified 18-year-old United fan was so upset about the red card that he dialed an emergency number from his home to notify the Nottingham Police of the situation at about 9:20 p.m. local time.

According to Chief Inspector Ted Antill, the teenager could have been prosecuted for wasting police time and making a false report.

“There may be people out there in real trouble who need our help, and they have to wait because we are tied up with calls like this one, reporting a referee from the television,” Antill said.

The teenager apologized Wednesday and was let off without punishment.

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Watch Manchester United’s Nani get controversial red card against Real Madrid

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