The ugliest moment in the Premier League this weekend occurred at Loftus Road, where Queens Park Rangers striker Bobby Zamora was sent off for a high challenge on Wigan Athletic midfielder Jordi Gómez.
The ball was in the air and there to be won as long as both players used their heads but Zamora didn't.
And as Gómez led with his head, the QPR hitman led with a very high boot and caught the Spaniard on the side of the head with his studs showing.
After treatment on the ground to Gómez, referee Phil Dowd pulled Zamora aside and showed the 32-year-old a straight red card.
"I think it looked like a red card," QPR boss Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports. "Bobby's not a malicious player but it was a clumsy challenge.
"His foot was high and it was a reckless challenge. It is not like Bobby to do things like that, he is normally very level-headed. Nobody is more sorry than Bobby."
Wigan manager Roberto Martínez added: "It was a horrific challenge.
"I know Bobby Zamora is not a dirty player but Jordi Gómez is very fortunate - he could have been majorly injured.
"It was the right decision. As much as you don't want to see red cards, that was as much a red card as you are going to see."
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| QPR player Bobby Zamora reacts after being shown a red card and sent off by referee Phil Dowd Photo: Getty Images |
The ball was in the air and there to be won as long as both players used their heads but Zamora didn't.
And as Gómez led with his head, the QPR hitman led with a very high boot and caught the Spaniard on the side of the head with his studs showing.
After treatment on the ground to Gómez, referee Phil Dowd pulled Zamora aside and showed the 32-year-old a straight red card.
"I think it looked like a red card," QPR boss Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports. "Bobby's not a malicious player but it was a clumsy challenge.
"His foot was high and it was a reckless challenge. It is not like Bobby to do things like that, he is normally very level-headed. Nobody is more sorry than Bobby."
Wigan manager Roberto Martínez added: "It was a horrific challenge.
"I know Bobby Zamora is not a dirty player but Jordi Gómez is very fortunate - he could have been majorly injured.
"It was the right decision. As much as you don't want to see red cards, that was as much a red card as you are going to see."
