Extra Time: Manchester United fan rings police over Nani red card

06-Mar-2013 10:50:00 PM

A disgruntled Red Devils supporter rang the emergency services to vent his anger following the Portuguese winger’s sending off in their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid

Nottinghamshire Police in England have revealed that a furious Manchester United fan rang them to vent his anger at Nani's sending off against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.

Though many observers may have termed referee Cuneyt Cakir’s decision to send off the ex-Sporting Lisbon winger as "criminal", one 18-year-old Red Devils supporter took the description a touch too literally.

Of course, in terms of football lookalikes, Nani has regularly been compared with former 'Smooth Criminal' Michael Jackson, but it seems this fan believed the winger was the victim on this occasion.

Thankfully, the supporter later apologised for calling the police, and control room chief inspector Ted Antill has called on people to think before dialling emergency services.

He said: "While this recent example may be amusing, it illustrates the sort of insincere calls we have to deal with on a daily basis in the Control Room.

"They waste our time and they direct us away from genuine victims of crime, particularly if we dispatch officers out to something that turns out to be a bogus report.

"I would ask people to think before picking up the phone for emergency services. I would also advise parents to ensure your children are aware that prank calls and the reporting of made-up crimes is a crime in itself."

Yes, Manchester United fans, that says "children", not 18-year-olds!