NEAL MAUPAY was sent off after receiving two bookings in just three minutes last night.
The former Brentford and Everton forward, 28, was handed just his second start of the season as Marseille took on Angers at Stade Velodrome.
Ahead of the game, players were greeted onto the pitch by an incredible tifo display celebrating Marseille’s 125th birthday.
And the occasion may have gotten to ex-Prem prankster Maupay, who was heading in for an early bath within half an hour.
The feisty affair had its first flashpoint in the 22nd minute, when visiting star Lilian Raolisoa lunged in on Marseille defender Ullises Garcia.
This prompted fury among Marseille’s ranks, with Maupay one of the most vocal in trying to get Raolisoa sent off.
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Following a VAR check Maupay would get his wish, with Raolisoa eventually shown a red card in the 26th minute.
Moments later, Maupay was also in the referee’s book.
Then on the half hour mark he joined Raolisoa in being sent off, receiving a second yellow for a late challenge by the halfway line.
As he received his marching orders, Maupay risked the further wrath of Marseille fans by smiling and laughing.
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He then shook his head as he made his way off the pitch.
The match proceeded 10 vs 10 for an hour, with Marseille stumbling against their newly promoted opponents.
Norwich loanee Jonathan Rowe gave Roberto De Zerbi’s side the lead on 51 minutes.
The England Under-21 international followed up his amazing last minute winner at Lyon a fortnight ago by converting in the box against Angers following a neat turn.
Marseille’s lead would last barely three minutes, with Farid El Melali grabbing a spectacular equaliser – converting a brilliant free-kick beyond keeper Geronimo Rulli.
The result leaves De Zerbi’s men third in the Ligue 1 table, two points behind both Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.
Monaco face a tricky trip to Rennes this evening, before PSG round off the weekend’s Ligue 1 action at Nice on Sunday night.
Maupay will be suspended when Marseille travel to Montpellier after the international break.
The Frenchman has scored once this season in Ligue 1, an effort in his side’s 2-0 win over Nice last month.
Prior to leaving England, Maupay developed a reputation as something of a cult villain.
Last season he was involved in a social media war with James Maddison, after mimicking the midfielder’s darts celebration during Brentford’s 3-2 defeat at Tottenham.
He was also booked while not even on the pitch against Chelsea after kicking the ball away as he warmed up as a substitute, stopping the Blues taking a free-kick.
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During his Brighton days, Maupay bagged a late winner against Arsenal, having argued with Bernd Leno as the then-Gunners keeper was taken off on a stretcher.
He then enraged Matteo Guendouzi at the final whistle, with the Frenchman grabbing his compatriot Maupay by the throat after what turned out to be his final game for Arsenal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
