Footballing Karate Assault

All those that thought the Barcelona – Real Madrid Champions League game of shame represented a new nadir for football, prepare to think again.

A recent match in the Kazakhstan second division between FC Kairat and Lokomotiv was witness to one of the most brutal assaults by a player upon a fellow professional.

Deep into injury time, with Kairat 3-2 up, a bout of handbags broke out between the two sets of players and officials (think the half-time brawl at the Bernabeu). And then out of nowhere Kairat benchwarmer Armand Masimzhanov administered a sinister flying kick on the Lokomotiv player Radmir Muksinova.

Although, Masimzhanov’s kick might have won plaudits in karate circles, Kazakh football officials were suitably unimpressed, banning him for life.

(Images: Rex)