In the world of computer football games like FIFA and PES, we are familiar with the rule that if a team is left with only 6 players on the field, the match is abandoned. However, in real football, this situation rarely occurs and has happened only once in the history of English football.
Let’s go back to March 16, 2002, when the historic Bramall Lane stadium hosted a match in the English First Division (now known as the Championship) between Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion. Little did anyone know that this match would still be talked about over 20 years later, with accusations continuing to be thrown from both sides.
But the story actually begins almost a year earlier. During a match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, an unfortunate collision took place just 8 minutes into the game. Georges Santos, Sheffield’s midfielder, and Andy Johnson, his Nottingham Forest counterpart, clashed while going for a loose ball. The collision resulted in Santos suffering a serious injury and being carried off the field on a stretcher.
Reflecting on the incident, Santos shared, “It was horrifying. I underwent surgery for over 6 hours when it was initially supposed to last a maximum of 2 hours. The surgeon even expressed concerns about the possibility of me losing my eyesight. My nose, cheekbone, and eye socket were all broken. I have a permanent plate installed there now.”
He also expressed disappointment, saying, “That player committed a disgraceful act. Moreover, Nottingham, a well-respected club, never reached out to check if I was okay. If it was an accident, they would have at least asked for my number and given me a call after the match.”
“I believe he intentionally injured me. It wasn’t an accident. He deliberately harmed me,” Santos added, suggesting that the collision was intentional.
Kevin Blackwell, the assistant manager of Sheffield United, shared his perspective as well, saying, “Georges was devastated. His face was completely battered. We were all deeply disappointed with the decision made by the Football Association.”
Fast forward to March 16, 2002, the date of the match between Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion at Bramall Lane. Neil Warnock was managing Sheffield United, while Gary Megson was the captain of West Bromwich Albion.
During the summer, Sheffield United had signed Andy Johnson from Nottingham Forest, and he started as a regular player in this match. Georges Santos, on the other hand, was a substitute for Sheffield United. The stage was set for a challenging game.
Just 9 minutes into the match, Sheffield United was reduced to 10 players. Their goalkeeper, Simon Tracey, recklessly handled the ball outside the penalty area, leading to a direct red card from referee Eddie Wolstenholme. This match turned into a nightmare for Wolstenholme. Sheffield United had to bring on their reserve goalkeeper, Wilko de Vogt, and forward Peter Ndlovu was substituted.
“I made a mistake when I headed the ball back, and that’s where it all started,” explained Keith Curle, the captain of Sheffield United.
“The decision was straightforward. I knew immediately it was a red card,” stated referee Wolstenholme.
After 64 minutes of play, West Bromwich Albion was leading 2-0, with goals from Derek McInnes, the captain, and Scott Dobie, the striker. Sheffield United made their remaining two substitutions, bringing on Georges Santos and Cameroonian forward Patrick Suffo.
“We needed a spark, but I didn’t mean things to unfold the way they did. No one wants to see that. Even a good tackle would have sparked the crowd and earned their applause. We needed their support,” said Keith Curle.
“We needed to change something, whether it was scoring from a set piece with Georges’ aerial ability or Patrick unleashing one of his powerful shots. I just wanted to get back into the game,” explained Neil Warnock.
“We were down to 10 players against their 11, and that’s never easy. When I was coming on, the coach told me to play my game,” said Santos.
“When the substitutes came on, I knew there was a history between Santos and Johnson from a previous match. I wanted to talk to them during a corner or a foul to ensure there wouldn’t be any conflicts. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance as everything exploded with Santos’ first touch,” recalled referee Wolstenholme.
In the 65th minute, McInnes passed the ball to the center circle, where Andy Johnson was positioned. Santos immediately lunged towards the ball and ended up colliding with Johnson once again.
“The only thing we told Santos before the match was not to do anything reckless and to focus on the game. Unfortunately, the first disputed ball after he came on happened to involve him and Johnson. It was a real nightmare!” remarked assistant manager Blackwell. “Everything happened so quickly, but I thought to myself, ‘Damn!’ I saw what was going to happen. There was no way Santos would miss him.”
“Before the match, Megson gave me the option to play or not because he knew what might happen. Of course, I wanted to play. As far as I’m concerned, he (Santos) exposed himself and embarrassed Sheffield United for something I don’t even remember,” explained Andy Johnson.
“I was going for the ball, I swear. It was a 50-50 challenge. I had no intention of hurting him. I was just protecting myself. If the referee had given me a yellow card, I would have considered it fair. But he showed me a red card, and I got angry. I had only been on the field for a minute!” defended Santos.
“I immediately knew it was one of the easiest red cards I’ve ever given,” stated the referee.
Despite the red card, a brawl ensued on the pitch. Players from both teams began grabbing each other by the neck.
“Everyone went crazy, and I saw Suffo running towards me. I thought he had lost his mind and was attacking me, but instead of me, he buried his head into McInnes, who was standing next to me. The decision to show the red card was an easy one; I couldn’t miss it. McInnes was lying next to me, covered in blood. I saw three guys holding back Darren Moore, the West Bromwich defender. He was ready to confront Suffo,” further explained Wolstenholme.
“It was shocking. The two substitutes came on, and after 30 seconds, they were sent off, and Andy was carried off on a stretcher. I didn’t know there was a backstory; otherwise, I would have immediately substituted him. Georges Santos, whom I know, is a great guy, and I would have never expected this from him,” commented Gary Megson.
“After those two red cards, our goal was to limit the damage,” said Sheffield’s captain, Keith Curle.
After 77 minutes of play, the scoreline read 3-0, with Scott Dobie scoring again. The tension continued to rise. Michael Brown and Keith Curle from Sheffield United were fortunate not to receive red cards for rough fouls committed against McInnes and Dobie.
“These were the toughest moments of the match. I was ready to show a second yellow card to Brown; I couldn’t miss it. But McInnes shouted at me, ‘Leave him, ref, he just pulled my shirt, everything’s fine.’ He also thought the match mightIn the end. I immediately made a decision to do everything in my power to complete the game. I didn’t penalize Brown, even though according to the rules, I should have. Unfortunately, a few minutes later, he got injured and had to leave the field,” explained Wolstenholme. “Next was Keith Curle. I saw it, I won’t lie, but after Michael Brown’s departure, there was no way I could send off Curle because it would mean abandoning the match. I only gave him a yellow card for his aggressive behavior, although it should have been a red.”
In the 79th minute, Michael Brown left the field with an injury, leaving Sheffield United with only 7 players on the pitch.
“Brown came up to me and asked what to do. I told him to come off. He was in agony. At that moment, I wasn’t thinking about the match; I was only concerned about his well-being,” said Neil Warnock.
“I was sitting near the touchline and overheard them telling him to come off if he wasn’t feeling well. I thought, ‘Wait a minute, they’re running out of players!’ I called McInnes and told him to gather the boys. We were winning, and the match was over. I had never said anything like that before, but it was necessary. I instructed my players to maintain distance from the opponent, let them have the ball, and not give them a reason to commit fouls. I didn’t want anyone else to get injured or receive a red card,” explained Gary Megson.
However, everything came to an end in the 82nd minute when left-back Rob Ullathorne suffered an Achilles tendon injury and had to leave the field. Sheffield United were left with only 6 players, automatically resulting in the match being abandoned.
“I told Ullathorne to continue if he could because I had to stop the match. But he couldn’t. People may argue that I should have shown those red cards, that the match should have ended anyway, and according to the rules, they would be right. But I wanted this match to finish,” said referee Wolstenholme.
“To be honest, I wasn’t aware of the rules. I didn’t know that playing with only 6 players was not allowed. How could I have known? I had never experienced anything like this before!” stated Sheffield United’s assistant manager, Kevin Blackwell.
The Football Association had to request a verbal account from Neil Warnock regarding the instructions he gave to his players when Sheffield United were reduced to 8 players on the field.
In another astonishing incident from this match, it was revealed that the sent-off Santos was waiting for Johnson in the tunnel after his substitution.
“He was waiting for me, as if to engage in a fight. Megson substituted me early, and my fitness coach helped me get to the dressing room. Santos was there, waiting for me. The police had to intervene, and my fitness coach had to restrain him while I made it back,” recalled Andy Johnson.
Five days after the match concluded, the Football League confirmed West Bromwich Albion’s victory. Sheffield United was fined £10,000, while Santos and Suffo received 6-match suspensions each. Curle was punished with a 2-match ban and fined for his violent foul and subsequent verbal attacks on the referees. Neil Warnock received a £300 fine for leaving his coaching area.
“I faced a lot of criticism and insults because someone baselessly accused me of something. I was investigated by the Football Association, and in the end, I was only fined £300. It’s the smallest fine in my career. Have I spoken to Megson since then? No. He is my last concern. I haven’t reconciled with him, and I have no intention of doing so,” concluded Warnock.
The subsequent match between the two teams took place at “The Hawthorns” in the fall of 2003, resulting in Sheffield winning 2-0. However, Warnock refused to shake hands with Gary Megson, which angered the home fans. The animosity between the two managers grew so strong that Warnock declared he would never shake Megson’s hand, even in a million years, and he wouldn’t even urinate on him if he saw him burning.
