Red Card at Player of the Year ceremony

The footballing world was thrown into controversy as, for the first time, a player has been sent off from an awards ceremony.

Chelsea‘s Didier Drogba was sensationally shown the red card following an off the stage incident. Both he and fellow nominee Cristiano Ronaldo, of Manchester United, were at last night’s Professional Footballers’ Association ceremony, and were awaiting the announcement of the Footballer of the Year award. Many pundits have said that this year’s selection was too close to call after excellent seasons from both men and their respective clubs which in turn are running one and two in this year’s title chase.

"As the announcement was being made, both players lunged for the trophy from the side of the stage," said an onlooker. "Drogba was closer but suddenly Ronaldo crashed to the floor and rolled onto the stage."

There was pandemonium as fellow players rushed to the Portuguese winger’s aid and at this point apparently both players squared up to each other.

"Ronaldo was shouting and gesturing that Drogba has pulled his dinner jacket," explained the eye-witness. "There may have been a push, it was wasn’t clear but suddenly Drogba fell to the stage clutching his head."

"Both men were committed to winning the trophy in what was a fifty-fifty contest," commented Harry Billingsworth, Football journalist with The Sun. "I think the host was unsighted by a group of photographers. However, to his credit, he went over to the side of the stage and had a long consultation with one of the waiters running the line of service."

Onlookers were shocked as Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore proceeded to issue a red card to the Chelsea striker. Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year trophy after he proceeded to take the microphone and plead his innocence with an embarrassing show of tears and praying gestures whilst looking to the sky like an upset puppy..