The 1962 Chile and Italy game was played before the introduction of Red and Yellow cards so it’s difficult to compare how bad it really was compared to modern games. Interestingly the first ever player to get a Red Card was also from Chile – Carlos Cazsely – during the 1974 World Cup.

A little bit of research turned up the most Red Cards handed out in any game was in 1993 between Sportivo Ameliano and General Caballero in Paraguay. A total of 20 cards were handed out after a 10 minute scuffle – which ultimately caused the game to end early.

Just this morning at least 6 people have already asked me who I got into a fight with. So let me expain for once and for all.

Last night playing soccer, I went up for a header and clashed heads with an opponent which rendered me unconscious in mid-air. Landing-gear out of action; my fall was only arrested when my face came into contact with the rough nylon playing surface – hence the carpet-rash and black-eye.

We lost the game 5-6 if anyone is interested.