REFEREE Umut Meler booked four players within just 17 minutes of England’s Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia.
The Turkish whistler, 37, was the man in the middle for the round of 16 tie.
He was quickly in the thick of the action, flashing his yellow card at seemingly every opportunity during the opening exchanges.
Marc Guehi was booked in the third minute, being penalised for a foul after having been sold short by a poor pass by Kieran Trippier.
Kobbie Mainoo was next to receive a yellow card, after treading on Ondrej Duda.
A first Slovakian then entered the book, with former Watford ace Juraj Kucka punished.
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The flurry of yellow cards was then complete in the 17th minute, when Jude Bellingham was penalised for a late lunge on Lukas Haraslin.
Fans were left stunned by the referee’s card-happy display.
One wrote on social media: “This ref loves cards more than Moonpig.”
While a second quipped: “This ref has lost the plot lol.”
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A third moaned: “Ref is spamming yellow cards for no reason.”
And a fourth whinged: “This ref is terrible, he’s going to ruin this game.”
And another added: “This ref is far too eager to get the yellow card out.”
Meler is at Euro 2024 after a tumultuous season at club level.
In December he was shockingly attacked on the pitch by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca after the board member’s side drew 1-1 with Rizespor.
He was later seen looking battered and bruised in hospital, but soon recovered and made a heartwarming return to action.
England went on to scrape a 2-1 win against Slovakia.
Ivan Schranz had given Slovakia a first half lead, only for Jude Bellingham to equalise deep into stoppage time.
Harry Kane’s extra time header then won it for the Three Lions, who will next face Switzerland on Saturday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
