A section of Aston Villa fans were jokingly handed a yellow card during the club’s pre-season clash against Bristol City.
Towards the end of their friendly at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon, Premier League official Kevin Friend gave the away side a free-kick – a decision that (for some reason) didn’t go down too well with some.
In fact, as Ashley Young approached the ball, a chant of ‘you’re just a sh*t Mike Dean’ rang around the stadium when Friend pointed to where the free-kick should be taken.
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The 50-year-old official, who was born in Bristol, then shrugged his shoulders but, as he produced the vanishing spray to indicate where the wall should stand, another (more friendly) chant of ‘Kevin, give us a wave’ began. Moments later, Friend was given an even friendlier ‘Wahey!’ when he produced a yellow card to the away support. It’s great to see a referee with a sense of humour, to be honest. This is great. |
I got a yellow card from Kevin Friend today… #avfc pic.twitter.com/sQop2oA6c8
— Sebastian Bacon (@SebastianBacon8) July 31, 2021
In terms of the final result, Dean Smith’s side recorded a dominant 3-0 win against the Championship outfit after goals from Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins sealed a deserved victory.
That being said, it was the antics of Kevin Friend that grabbed the headlines.
Here’s just some of the reaction from social media.
Kevin Friend has just given the Villa fans a yellow card. Howling! #avfc
— Ashley Preece (@PreeceObserver) July 31, 2021
I’ve just been told Kevin Friend is a Bristol City fan as well 😭 What a bloke pic.twitter.com/bY46yArkWH
— Max Stokes (@villaontour_) August 1, 2021
Kevin Friend waving and clapping at the Villa fans and showing a yellow card to the away end defo wasn’t what I was expecting before the game today. 😂
— Simon Lines (@simonlines) July 31, 2021
A referee actually showing a sense of humour? His bosses will probably give him a formal warning for having a personality. https://t.co/y4t78VG8lq
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) August 1, 2021
Kevin Friend was class today. Love the banter 👏🏻👏🏻😂😂 #avfc
— Gary Swain (@gazswain) July 31, 2021
Refs are all robotic and no personalities. 😂 Well done Kevin Friend. 👏 https://t.co/AByTJxc063
— MaidstoneRefs (@MaidstoneRefs) August 1, 2021
Thoughts on Kevin Friend’s antics this weekend?
Let us know in the comments.