Lukas Podolski: Ex-Arsenal star remarkably sent off at 'own charity tournament' | OneFootball

Lukas Podolski has hit headlines for all the wrong reasons as he was sent off ‘during his own charity football tournament’ for losing his temper with the referee.

According to the Daily Mail, Podolski was competing in the Schauinsland Reisen Cup, which saw his current side Górnik Zabrze challenging five other European teams on an indoor pitch.

Podolski is currently playing in his second season for the Polish club having also represented Galatasaray, Vissel Kobe and Antalyaspor since waving goodbye to Arsenal in 2015.

Now 37 years old, it’s explained that Podolski ‘has been involved in the initiative’ surrounding the charity event that Górnik Zabrze attended for many years now.

As such, that only makes it even more surprising that the former Germany international has gone viral for picking up a red card in the semi-final of said tournament against Rot-Weiss Essen.

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Why was Podolski sent off in charity tournament?

Podolski reportedly felt aggrieved by the refereeing decisions in the match as a tense encounter saw a whole host of fouls and no less than three penalties awarded.

In fact, Podolski was so angered by one particular call given against him that he proceeded to lose his head, getting right up in the face of the referee and angrily voicing his protestations.

However, despite his complaints about what looked to be a last-man push, the Poland-born forward went one step too far with his reaction and was swiftly shown a red card by the official.

Video: Podolski sent off for losing his head with the ref

Podolski then looked to have calmed down as he complied with the referee’s wishes and took his place on the sidelines, hopping over the advertising hoardings.

Only, Podolski’s anger didn’t end there with the Mail explaining that the World Cup winner was then seen “throwing water over the pitch and in the direction of officials”.

And with Podolski then seemingly doubling down on his feelings of displeasure by trying to get near the officials at full-time, it’s fair to say that he didn’t cover himself in glory.

It just goes to show that even when it’s a charitable occasion and you’ve been a part of the organisation that you can’t take the winner out of a man, for better or for worse.

In the end, Rot-Weiss Essen’s man advantage proved to be crucial as they scored just moments later to ensure that Podolski’s side would not be progressing through to the final.

Nevertheless, Górnik Zabrze were able to secure a place on the podium as they won their third-place play-off 1. FC Kaan Marienborn, while Essen went on to thrash Blau-Weiss Lohne 8-3 in the final.