On this day in 2002, a controversial incident occurred during an FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Arsenal at Highbury. Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd. In a moment of frustration, Carragher threw the coin back into the stands, an action that led to his immediate dismissal from the match. The repercussions for Carragher were significant; he received a police warning, Liverpool was fined £40,000, and he was handed a three-match ban by the FA.
27th January 2008
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The FA Cup clash between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in 2008 was marked by an unusual incident involving Manchester City fans. During the match, City supporters released blue and white balloons onto the pitch, which inadvertently contributed to Sheffield United’s opening goal. A cross into the City penalty area deflected off the balloons, allowing Luton Shelton to score easily after the ball nutmegged City’s Michael Ball. To add to City’s woes, upon returning to the dressing room, the players discovered that £2000 in cash had been stolen.
27th January 2016
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In 2016, a walking football match between Canterbury Walking Football Club and Herne Bay Walking Football Club took an unexpected turn. The game, intended for players over 50 and played at a walking pace, quickly descended into chaos. Within five seconds, a ‘robust’ shoulder charge occurred, followed by a ‘crunching tackle’, leading to a brawl that even involved the referee. The match was abandoned after just two minutes, highlighting that competitive spirit remains strong, regardless of age.