Richard Keys dragged WWE legend Hulk Hogan into a debate over yellow cards that left football fans baffled.
The former Sky Sports presenter took to X to bizarrely quote tweet a tribute video to the American wrestling icon. And he seemingly asked the Hulkster: “What don’t you understand? He was correctly booked. It’s simple. He let himself and his team-mates down.”
Quite what response the pundit currently working for Middle Eastern channel beIN Sports expected from the man behind Hulkamania remains unknown. But his odd tweet provoked plenty of reaction online.
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One fan said: “Why are you replying to a Hulk Hogan tribute video, talking about yellow cards?” Another added: “What the hell is this brother?” And a third said: “Am I really this drunk? Or is this real?”
Another said: “When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside.” While a fifth agreed with the 67-year-old, replying: “You are dead right Richard. But the standard of refereeing has dipped since Earl Hebner retired.”
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(Image: Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, another fan joked: “I always remember Giant Haystacks giving that free kick away on the edge of the box at Anfield – and Big Daddy curling the free kick in top corner for Liverpool. Let himself down bigtime that day.”
It’s probably safe to assume the caption attached was not meant for the 71-year-old star of Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny but intended to reference Declan Rice’s second yellow card for Arsenal against Brighton – which saw him sent off in a 1-1 draw with the Seagulls at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
The England midfielder was first yellow carded on 42 minutes for a foul on defender Joel Veltman. His second offence came in a bizarre situation near the touchline four minutes into the second half.
Rice waited for the German defender to take a free-kick before nudging the ball away as Veltman shaped to kick the ball – taking the flak in the process. To the surprise of almost everyone in north London, Rice was given his marching orders.
After the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed his thoughts on the incident, he said: “I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens.
“Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan, he turns around, he doesn’t see the player coming and he touches the ball.
“By law, he can make that call, but then by law, he needs to make the next call, which is a red card so we play 10 v 10. This is what amazed me. At this level it’s amazing.”
The 25-year-old midfielder will now be suspended for Arsenal’s crunch match with arch-rivals Tottenham once Premier League football returns after the international break.