Ashley Cole sent off as England goals sparks melee between benches during European Under-21 Championship final
England coach Ashley Cole was sent off during a heated touchline melee during the European Under-21 Championship final.
The unsavoury scenes occurred in first-half stoppage-time when the Young Lions took the lead thanks to a deflected free-kick from Cole Palmer.
That goal put England 1-0 up in the showpiece event, however Spain's backroom team were unhappy due to an alleged handball from Curtis Jones to send the ball into the back of the net.
After seeing the net bulge, Man City starlet Palmer raced off to celebrate in front of the two dugouts, glaring at the Spanish bench in the process.
While the full incident wasn't picked up by the TV cameras in Georgia, it was that celebration that seemed to ignite the flame in the technical areas as members from both nations' backroom teams clashed on the touchlines.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Cole was one of the coaches in the centre of the action, and as a result he was shown a red card and sent to the stands, along with a member of Spain's support staff.
It was unclear as to what had specifically happened, with talkSPORT commentators Alex Crook and Darren Ambrose trying to get to the bottom of it on air.
Darren Ambrose: “It’s all kicking off on the edge of the touchline now. There are coaches involved, Ashley Cole is trying to be the peacemaker.”
Alex Crook: “I’m not sure exactly what’s sparked this. The referee has got a yellow card in his hand for Colwill and Sancet and he’s also having a conversation with the VAR. Abel Ruis, the Spain captain, is appealing about something. Still members of England coaching staff, Ashley Cole there having to be shepherded away — was it maybe over exuberant celebrations that the Spanish bench took offence to?”
Ambrose: “I don’t know, I think
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