ANDRIY YARMOLENKO went from hero to zero in West Ham’s Under-23s clash with Swansea by getting sent off minutes after scoring the match-winner.
The Ukraine international lined up alongside the Hammers’ youngsters on Friday in a bid to get some much-needed game time.
Yarmolenko, 32, bagged the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time but was given his marching orders five minutes after the restart for an apparent elbow on Ben Erickson.
The former Borussia Dortmund man was left gobsmacked by the decision, which he couldn’t help but laugh at he made his way off the pitch.
Former Hammers defender Kenny Brown was also left stunned by Yaromlenko’s dismissal.
He said: “It’s disappointing, the referee couldn’t wait to get his card out.”
Shocked West Ham fans were quick to comment on the bizarre sending off, with one tweeting: “Poor decision that, doesn’t seem like any force.”
Another said: “Lad didn’t even go down and the referee is clearly looking for it and trying to snare a big name sadly he will go down the ladder for this rather than up. Pathetic decision.”
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And another said: “Yarnalenko’s reaction speaks volumes, he just stood there and laughed at the ref.
“Absolute joke of a decision.
“Club should complain to the refs association and FA and have it rescinded.”
One remarked: “I can see why the referee made that decision from his position although it’s subjective as to whether the force is negligible or not.”
Yarmolenko joined West Ham from Dortmund in the summer of 2018 but has failed to become a mainstay in the starting XI.
The winger has made 67 appearances during his time in east London, scoring eleven goals.
Yarmolenko’s days as a Hammer look set to come to an end this summer once his contract expires.
The Ukrainian has well and truly fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium this season, making a paltry eight starts this campaign.
West Ham’s senior squad will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, travelling to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk