The Red Card

A look at the lower depths of global soccer: fights, riots, sex scandals, hooliganism, match-fixing, diving, bad haircuts, ronaldo's transvestite prostitutes, and other associated tomfoolery...

A football player was hit by a firework launched by opposition fans moments after the whistle was blown at the end of a cup final match last night.

Conor Hagan fell to the ground after being struck in the back by the rocket before it exploded.

His team Linfield had just suffered a 2-1 defeat by sectarian rivals Cliftonville in the County Antrim Shield final at Windsor Park in Belfast.