ENGLAND and Spain’s Under-21 final descended into chaos after a brawl was sparked on the pitch.
The Three Lions took the lead just before half-time after Cole Palmer’s free-kick was deflected in by Curtis Jones.
But England’s celebrations appeared to have sparked a furious reaction from the Spanish bench.
As VAR checked the goal, the two sides began furiously brawling with each other.
The petty shoving resulted in England and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill getting booked.
But Cole and a member of the Spanish back-up team Carlos Rivera, a fitness coach, were shown red for their involvement in the ruck.
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England took their lead into the break but according to the Daily Mail, the aggro did not stop there.
The two teams were said to have been still going at it down the tunnel.
Fans could not quite believe that Champions League winner Cole managed to get sent off aged 42 and in retirement.
One said: “Ashley Cole getting sent off in 2023, something I didn’t think I would be seeing or tweeting.”
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Another added: “People will think you’re mad if you say Ashley Cole has been sent off in the U21 final.”
One joked: “Ashley Cole sent off in the U21 European Championship final. It’s 2023.”
Another said: “Who had Ashley Cole getting sent off in a European final on their 2023 bingo card.”
Colwill was booked along with Spain attacker Oihan Sancet.
The talkSPORT commentators Alex Crook and Darren Ambrose witnessed the clash as it happened.
Ambrose said: “It’s all kicking off on the edge of the touchline now. There are coaches involved, Ashley Cole is trying to be the peacemaker.
“I don’t know, I think they’re claiming something happened in the free-kick. I think they’re claiming it was handball, but it actually appears the ball hit Curtis Jones’ back and then went in.
“It was as they were celebrating, you just saw it all starting to kick off on the touchline, all the staff were involved.”
Alex Crook added: “Ashley Cole had to be shepherded away – was it maybe over exuberant celebrations that the Spanish bench took offence to?”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
