Steven Whittaker Throws Ball At Opponent: Rangers Player Gets Red Card (VIDEO)

During a Champions League match against Malmo, Steven Whittaker, who plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, decided to express his frustration with a chippy tackle by flinging the ball at his opponent.

In true soccer form, the opponent grabbed at his head in agony immediately after contact even though it appeared the ball hit his shoulder.

Interestingly, Whittaker told the Daily Mail, on the topic of Rangers fans not being to attend the game due to sanctions impose by UEFA, 'There won't be fans there but we will still be focused on trying to do the job at hand.'

I guess we can chalk up the red card received by Whittaker in the first 18 minutes of the match to a lack of "focus."

The match ended in a 1-1 tie, and Rangers was ousted from the Champions League by losing to Malmo 2-1 in aggregate.

(WATCH VIDEO AT TOP)

Comments

[plzchuteme]

05:17 AM on 08/07/2011

The WWE has nothing on professional soccer.

[plzchuteme]

07:18 AM on 08/07/2011

...and please, for the love of God, don't let them have access to the folding chairs!

[Littleshovel]

06:54 AM on 08/06/2011

The guy fell down after getting a soccer ball lightly tossed onto him? Proof that soccer players are conditioned to flop.

[CANTHATBE]

10:49 PM on 08/05/2011

The guy in red even has the nerve to look shocked at getting a red card. The commentator is right a lack of personal discipline.

[Madhattan]

02:55 PM on 08/05/2011

why isn't there just more fighting in soccer? instead of throwing the ball at that guy, why didn't he just attack him.

[chiodo08]

01:16 PM on 08/05/2011

honestly I don't have a problem with it...that guy totally went for a scissor hack on his leg...probably one of the most egregious things you can do in soccer. It will literally snap your leg...should he get carded sure...suspended, no way that guy knew what he was doing and isn't some innocent victim...just sayin

[J0E1]

11:45 AM on 08/05/2011

Wow, I think that entire clip was just one big joke. List:

1. The blue player didn't even bother trying for the ball, he just jammed his leg in between Whittakers legs just to purposely trip him up.  He should have been given at LEAST a yellow.

2. Throwing the ball at his opponent.  Who does that?

3. The opponent clutching his face and head in agonizing pain when the ball didn't hit his face or head LOL.  Seriously?  It hit your shoulder and nothing more.

Both players should be kicked out.  Whittaker for throwing the ball, and his opponent for purposely tripping him and then faking an injury.

[chiodo08]

01:17 PM on 08/05/2011

it was scissor tackle and it is one of the worst things you can do to another player...I would have p//nched him and happily took the fine knowing I got off on that p//nk....

[ls1z28chris]

05:07 PM on 08/06/2011

I would have sent off the tackler for the follow-up hack at Whittaker's legs.

[DanSc]

11:00 AM on 08/05/2011

Soccer is the world's game, and the world is full of jerks