‘Farcical Friendly Scenes’: Former Manchester United Flop Antony and England Star Sent Off After Point-Blank Ball Boot Sparks Furious Pre-Season Brawl

Former Manchester United winger Antony and Bournemouth starlet Alex Scott were both shown straight red cards in farcical scenes during a heated pre-season friendly between Real Betis and the Cherries. What was meant to be a routine tune-up match in preparation for the upcoming campaign devolved into chaos on Saturday, culminating in an explosive touchline altercation between the two sets of players. The action-packed fixture eventually finished as a thrilling 2-2 draw, but the four-goal contest was completely overshadowed by the dramatic flashpoint that erupted in the dying moments of the first half, forcing the referee to dismiss both Antony and Scott before the teams headed into the tunnel.

The high-tempo clash saw Marco Rose’s Bournemouth take the lead twice through Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson, only for Spanish outfit Real Betis to respond on both occasions via strikes from Cucho Hernandez and Pablo Fornals. However, the sporting drama was momentarily forgotten just before the interval when a late foul near the touchline sparked a sudden breakdown in discipline. Betis forward Nelson Deossa was brought down heavily by Bournemouth defender Bafode Diakite near the boundary line, prompting an immediate emotional reaction that sent tensions boiling over across the pitch.

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇪🇸 BOTH Alex Scott & Antony has been sent off for Real Betis and AFC Bournemouth respectively 😬🟥🟥 pic.twitter.com/qKUNcy0Ro0

— Accurate Football (@Accurate_Foot23) August 8, 2026

Point-Blank Ball Boot Sparks Mass Touchline Melee in Spain

In a moment of frustration following the foul, Deossa picked up the ball and booted it at point-blank range directly into Diakite as the defender lay on the ground. The referee immediately brandished a yellow card to discipline Deossa for the unsportsmanlike gesture, but the punishment failed to satisfy several Bournemouth players who felt the action warranted stronger action. A group of Cherries players quickly swarmed the scene to confront Deossa, triggering a mass brawl as players from both benches and opposing sides converged on the touchline to join the escalating melee.

Former Old Trafford winger Antony quickly inserted himself into the heart of the commotion, aggressively shoving multiple Bournemouth players as he attempted to protect his Real Betis teammate. The physical intervention caught the attention of England Under-21 international Alex Scott, who reacted furiously to the Brazilian’s aggression. Scott stepped in to push Antony back, pointing a finger directly in his face as the two players engaged in a heated verbal exchange. Although Antony tried to pursue Scott as the midfielder attempted to walk away, the match official and surrounding players managed to restore order and separate the warring parties.

Dual Red Cards Dished Out Despite Pre-Season Friendly Status

While friendly matches often see match officials exercise leniency to avoid ruining the competitive structure of pre-season preparations, the referee decided that the behavior of both primary instigators crossed the line. Once order was restored, the official called Antony and Scott forward and brandished straight red cards to both men, sending them down the tunnel early just moments before the official half-time whistle blew. The double dismissal meant both clubs were forced to navigate the entire second half with only ten men on the pitch.

“The official opted to dish out reds for both players as they were sent down the tunnel just before the half-time whistle, forcing both sides to play with ten men.”

At the time of the dismissals, Bournemouth held a 1-0 lead thanks to Tavernier’s opening goal scored just minutes prior to the brawl. Operating with increased space in the second half, Betis leveled the match through Hernandez before Evanilson restored Bournemouth’s lead moments later. However, Fornals struck an equalizer with ten minutes remaining on the clock, ensuring the wild pre-season encounter ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

From £85m Manchester United Flop to Real Betis Fan Favorite

For Antony, the fiery pre-season display comes after successfully resurrecting his career in Spain following a deeply disappointing spell in English football. United fans will remember the 26-year-old winger for his underwhelming tenure at Old Trafford after signing from Dutch giants Ajax in an eye-watering £85 million transfer back in 2022. The Brazilian struggled to justify his massive price tag in the Premier League, making just 96 appearances for the Red Devils after falling completely out of favor under both former manager Erik ten Hag and his successor Ruben Amorim.

Seeking a fresh start, Antony joined Real Betis on loan for the 2024-25 season and immediately established himself as a fan favorite in La Liga. He enjoyed a sensational debut campaign in Spain, scoring nine goals and providing a spark in attack that convinced Betis executives to make his transfer permanent in a £25 million deal. Antony repaid that faith last term by netting 14 goals in all competitions, solidifying his status as a key attacking threat for the Spanish club despite his occasional hot-headed moments on the pitch.