‘Trevor Francis was dismissed during Crystal Palace's 1-1 draw with Bradford last night for cuffing one of his own players around the ear,’ reports the Guardian.
Palace had just conceded a goal when Francis acted after he heard one of his own players laughing.
"When Bradford scored our substitute Alex Kolinko laughed so I cuffed him one round the back of the ear," said Francis. "It was a bit of fun really but the fourth official saw it differently."
Let’s hope Roy’s brief is a Guardian reader he could always say that his client Alfie were best of mates and sure he was only having a laugh with his old mucker.