Under 21 international Jordon Ibe was sent off in the closing stages of England’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday.
The Liverpool winger picked up a second yellow card for deliberately denying a quick free-kick to be taken towards the end of the qualifier for the 2017 Under-21 European Championship.
Ibe did not start the game. He replaced John Swift just before the half-hour mark, after the Chelsea loanee had to come off with a messy ankle complaint.
Although many will see Ibe’s actions as needless and immature, in reality he may well have sacrificed himself for the good of the team.
The result leaves England three points clear at the top of Group 9, but, had Gareth Southgate’s men conceded from the counter-attack which Ibe cynically prevented, a Swiss winner would have left the Young Lions in a very tricky position as they bid to reach Euro 2017.
England took the lead shortly after half time when Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom slotted home following superb work from Leicester City’s Demarai Gray.
After failing to convert any of their many chances to go 2-0 up, England were pegged back 15 minutes from time when Florian Kamberi scored on the break.
Jordon Ibe red card
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