Former Barcelona and Valencia striker David Villa was sent off in a pre-season friendly between New York City and Houston Dynamo on Saturday. <\/p>\n
The 35-year-old was caught via video technology punching an opposing player in the face in the Desert Diamond Cup. <\/p>\n
The incident occurred in the 37th minute with the game at 1-1 (Villa having scored New York's goal) as Andrea Pirlo took a corner. <\/p>\n
Initially, the referee had brandished Villa with a yellow card and awarded a free-kick to Dynamo. <\/p>\n
But just as play looked to be getting back underway the referee blew his whistle and signalled a box shape with his hands. <\/p>\n
The referee then ran over to the sidelines and watched the incident back on a monitor, using VAR (video assistant referee). Players from both sides began to congregate in the middle, with Villa and victim AJ DeLaGarza still arguing over what happened. <\/p>\n
Nearly four minutes since the original incident passed before the referee trotted back onto the pitch and asked to see Villa. <\/p>\n
The official once again made the box shape with his hands before producing a straight red card. <\/p>\n
The striker nearly caused more trouble after another coming together with DeLaGarza, only for his teammates to get in the way. <\/p>\n
The Spaniard continued to protest with the fourth official on the touchline, claiming his victim wasn't innocent, either, before eventually taking a seat on the bench. <\/p>\n
Dynamo capitalised on New York's 10 men and won the encounter 3-1. <\/p>\n
Video technology has so far only been used in the reserve tiers of MLS and last year's Club World Cup. <\/p>\n
But Saturday's decision will come as a major boost to Howard Webb and America's Professional Referee Organisation. <\/p>\n
Webb has been installed to oversee the the introduction of VAR into MLS football. <\/p>\n
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Referee uses video technology to catch David Villa PUNCHING player in the face and send Spaniard off - Mirror.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Barcelona and Valencia striker David Villa was sent off in a pre-season friendly between New York City and Houston Dynamo on Saturday. The 35-year-old was caught via video technology punching an opposing player in the face in the Desert Diamond Cup. Continue reading