Ex-Norwich City player had rare controversial moment v Arsenal - he’s explained it all | OneFootball

Darren Eadie was sent off in strange fashion in an FA Cup game against Arsenal while he was playing for Leicester City

Former Norwich City and Leicester City winger Darren Eadie was sent off just four times in his career, but the one which stands out was in the FA Cup against Arsenal in January 2000.

Eadie had not long since signed for the Foxes from the Canaries, after Leicester paid a club record £3 million for his services in December 1999.

Getting sent off for two bookable offences early on in your time at a club doesn't exactly give the best first impression, but not many Leicester fans, nor the manager at the time, Martin O'Neill, held this red card against him.

The match was mired in controversy due to how referee Mark Riley officiated the game, and the Northern Irish boss branded the decision as "ludicrous."

It wasn't just the nature of the second yellow, but also the fact that the wideman was able to stay on for a few extra minutes, having received two yellows, before he was finally dismissed.

Darren Eadie reveals why he was sent off vs Arsenal in 2000

Mark Riley had an esteemed refereeing career, taking charge of multiple cup finals in the early 2000s and being the English representative at the 2004 European Championships.

However, the 0-0 he refereed in the FA Cup fourth round tie between Leicester and Arsenal in January 2000 didn't leave him the most popular man for either side.

Riley issued 10 yellow cards in what reports say wasn't the dirtiest of games, two of which were dished out to Eadie...although he didn't realise that for a good few minutes.

Having already been booked for a challenge on Freddie Llungberg, Eadie was shown a second yellow card for time-wasting eight minutes from time. Normally, that equates to a red card, but the referee continued the game.

In a recent X post, Eadie revealed that he'd have probably stayed on the field if it weren't for the scoreboard at Highbury already showing that he'd been carded earlier on.

"Stayed on for about five mins before the ref realised that it was my second [yellow]," the post read.

"Large scoreboard and a stadium full of Gunners alerted him to his mistake."

Darren Eadie's brief time at Leicester City had plenty of highs to combat controversial red card

Manager Martin O'Neil felt the red card decision was "poor," due mainly to the fact that many other players are seen getting away with time-wasting similarly, whilst Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger believed that Robbie Savage should have been sent off as well for a challenge on Kanu.

So, Riley wasn't exactly the most popular man after the 0-0 draw. Ironically enough, he'd then go on to officiate the replay, which the Foxes won on penalties.

Eadie will be remembered more for his time at Carrow Road than at Leicester, as his stint with the Foxes lasted just 47 games before he was forced to retire aged just 28 due to recurring knee issues.

However, he was able to celebrate with his side as they lifted the League Cup final in February 2000 — albeit not allowed to play due to being cup-tied.

He was a useful option out wide for a Leicester side who enjoyed a good bit of success and runs in Europe during the late 90s and early 2000s when he was fit and available, and Foxes fans will wonder if he could have helped stave off relegation in 2002 if he wasn't on the shelf.

But, despite those highs at Leicester, Eadie will always have that one red card in his memory, and it's one that both he and Foxes fans can share a smile at how strange it truly was.