Fabinho runs away from referee as he gives ex-Liverpool star red card

The former Liverpool midfielder was shown a second yellow card for a cynical foul on Yahya Naji in Al-Ittihad’s 1-1 draw against Damac, with the clip widely shown on social media

Fabinho ran away from the referee as he brandished his second yellow card(Image: Saudi Pro League)

Former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was involved in a peculiar red card during Al-Ittihad’s 1-1 draw against Damac on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old, who departed the Reds in 2023, has played a pivotal role for Al-Ittihad this term, starting 14 of the club’s 15 league matches this term. He has captained the side on various occasions and was wearing the armband when dismissed at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

In the eighth minute of injury-time, Fabinho opted to scythe down Damac’s Yahya Naji as he looked to launch a quick counter. The foul was so cynical, Fabinho immediately knew his fate and removed the captain’s armband before making a beeline for the touchline.

The sight of the Brazilian darting off the pitch immediately after committing the foul made for a slightly odd sight, particularly given he did not even wait for the referee to brandish his card.

Instead, the official directed the second yellow card and subsequent red at Fabinho’s back. Some online interpreted this as Fabinho attempted to be substituted before he was booked again.

That was Fabinho’s second red card of the season. He will now miss the upcoming league fixture against Al-Ettifaq and has been denied a reunion with his former Liverpool colleague Georginio Wijnaldum.

The 1-1 draw leaves Al-Ittihad in sixth place in the table, 11 points behind leaders Al-Hilal.

Fabinho is closing in on 100 appearances for Al-Ittihad(Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Fabinho is closing in on 100 games for the club since his $54 million (£40 million) move from Liverpool two and half years ago, and the ex-Red revealed in a recent interview with the Guardian that he was disappointed how his time at Anfield came to a conclusion.

“I didn’t want to leave the club and go to any other club in Europe,” Fabinho said, reflecting on his departure from Liverpool in 2023.

“I thought it was the best place in the world to play, to keep developing as a player. I wanted my legacy and my history at the club to grow even more, but our last season was very gruelling, tiring.

Fabinho played 219 times for Liverpool(Image: Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

“We didn’t do well and failed to qualify for the Champions League. I lost my position as a starter for a few games, but that happens.

“I came back for the following season, even though the previous one hadn’t been good, with a very good mentality and wanting to fight for the Premier League title again.

“But before the season started, Al Ittihad made an offer for me and the Liverpool directors said it was very good for the club and for me.”