Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman was shown a red card during the England U19s’ win over the USA in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
The 16-year-old isn’t someone you normally associate with getting sent off, but he was given his marching orders in the 73rd minute of the game.
Since the game was played behind closed doors and not televised anywhere, fans didn’t know why the red card was shown, and that led to a lot of speculation on social media.
The most popular joke made by Arsenal fans was that Dowman nutmegged the referee, which is why he was told to leave the pitch. That, unsurprisingly, is not true.
A graphic to show the age of Lamine Yamal after his first Barcelona and Max Dowman after his first Arsenal goal.
Credit: Getty Images/George Wood/Visionhaus
Why Max Dowman was shown a red card for England U19s vs USA
The England U19s maintained their 100 per cent record during this international break by sealing a 2-1 win over the USA.
Max Dowman started the game, and it didn’t take long for him to impress. The Arsenal wonderkid set up Manchester City’s Reigan Heskey in the opening minute of the game.
The Americans levelled the score shortly after, but Luca Williams-Barnett scored what proved to be the winner at around the hour mark.
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The biggest talking point, despite the three goals, was Dowman’s red card that reduced the Young Lions to 10 men for the final 16 minutes of the game.
The joke that he nutmegged the referee to get sent off is absolutely hilarious, but the real reason behind his dismissal remains unconfirmed.
However, a source has informed the Daily Mail that Dowman had ‘a little kick out when a player went past him’, and the referee deemed that enough for a straight red card.
That, according to a source, was a very harsh decision, but the card was shown, and Dowman had to leave the pitch as a result.
The England U19s will play their final game of this international break against Belgium on Monday. It remains to be seen if Dowman will be involved in that fixture.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Statue of Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry Unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images