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Former Arsenal star sent off for telling the ref his name

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion - Carling Cup

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Sanchez Watt of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Carling Cup third round match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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File this one under utterly bizarre.

Sanchez Watt, a former winger for Arsenal and Leeds United, was sent off in a sixth-tier game in England on Tuesday evening for simply stating his name.

You read that right.

Watt, 27, was playing for Hemel Hempstead Town against East Thurrock United in the National League South and referee Dean Hulme asked for his name. Sanchez replied “Watt” on several occasions and thinking that the player was being cheeky and saying “What?”, Hulme sent him off for dissent.

Cue pandemonium as Hulme was then told that Sanchez’s last name was indeed Watt and he downgraded the red card to a yellow.

Hemel’s chairman Dave Boggins told BBC Sport that Hulme apologized for the mistake after the game in the boardroom.

“The referee was man enough to rectify it. I think everybody found it amusing afterwards - including the referee. He came into the boardroom after the game and explained how he had made the mistake. He was very apologetic and saw the funny side of it. He was a good ref on the night to be fair to him.”

Watt is going on...

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