Premier League star yellow-carded after KISSING rival player on nose (VIDEO)
There were bizarre scenes in the Premier League clash between Burnley and Cardiff City on Saturday when striker Ashley Barnes was shown a yellow card after kissing rival Joe Bennett twice on the nose.
With Burnley 1-0 up at Turf Moor after Chris Wood's opener, Barnes and Bennett squared up face-to-face late in the first half after the Cardiff man had brought down Barnes.
The pair brought their heads together before Barnes sarcastically planted two kisses at the top of Bennett’s nose, with both earning a booking from referee Mike Dean.
tfw saturdays are for the boys pic.twitter.com/HDpHbSIZGF
— will defries (@WilldeFries) April 13, 2019
The incident led to widespread hilarity on social media, including from BBC pundit Gary Linker, who joked: "Ashley Barnes has received a yellow card after coming face-to-face with Joe Bennett. Barnes kissed Bennet on the nose (honestly), not once but twice. Lucky perhaps not to get 2 yellows.”
Ashley Barnes has received a yellow card after coming face-to-face with Joe Bennett. Barnes kissed Bennet on the nose (honestly), not once but twice. Lucky perhaps not to get 2 yellows. 💋💋
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 13, 2019
Others reacted with shocked humor to the unorthodox expression of anger at a an opponent.
In today’s bizarre booking of the day, Ashley Barnes has gone in the book for trying to kiss Joe Bennett twice. Literally tried to kiss Bennett...#BURCARpic.twitter.com/rwIjF4EtxB
— Matthew Mohan (@MatthewMohanCNA) April 13, 2019
Ashley Barnes has been shown a yellow card for kissing Joe Bennett during Burnley vs Cardiff.Since when was a public display of affection a bookable offence? 😂#BURCARpic.twitter.com/vDSYchuGzE
— GiveMeSport Football (@GMS__Football) April 13, 2019
In the same game, Ashley Barnes has been booked for giving Joe Bennett a kiss on the nose. Football is bizarre sometimes. pic.twitter.com/Md81RgZOdK
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) April 13, 2019
Joe Bennett sees yellow for a late challenge on Ashley Barnes.Ashley Barnes sees yellow for erm...kissing Joe Bennett. 💋💋📲⚽ https://t.co/0kUniX6SeW#BURCARpic.twitter.com/PQ1zO7dsOL
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) April 13, 2019
Ashley Barnes squares up to Joe Bennett following a foul just outside the area and kisses him twice on the nose. Referee Mike Dean doesn't buy the affection and gives him a yellow
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) April 13, 2019
Barnes getting booked for kissing Bennett is one of the funniest things I’ve seen all season😂😂😂 #twitterclarets
— Connor Birnie (@connorbirniee) April 13, 2019
Ashley Barnes casually kisses Joe Bennett twice after he is fouled by him. What is the referee meant to do there?😂#BURCAR#Burnley#PremierLeague
— Ellis Nordhoff (@EllisNordhoff) April 13, 2019
Relegation-threatened Cardiff were left fuming after they were denied what they felt was a clear penalty in the second half, when a handball was given against Ben Mee, only for Dean to reverse the decision after speaking to the linesman.
Their woe was compounded when Wood added a late second for Burnley, lifting them to 14th in the table, and leaving Neil Warnock's Welsh side face an uphill struggle to claw themselves to safety with time running out.
The Bluebirds are now five points adrift of safety with five games to play.
