Referee who whacked Savage in the face calls it his "best moment in football"
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Plenty of footy fans would love to do it – and referee Matt Messias admitted that whacking Robbie Savage in the face was his “best moment in football”.
The incident occurred 20 years ago on Wednesday when Birmingham travelled to Newcastle for a Premier League clash with some iconic names present. Alan Shearer spearheaded the Magpies attack along with Shola Ameobi with Shay Given in between the posts and Nolberto Solano in midfield.
However, despite the stars on show, the match is best remembered for one of the most hilarious moments in Premier League history.
Savage had a reputation throughout his playing career as a bit of a pantomime villain, often doing his best to stir up the opposition and their fans.
READ MORE: Robbie Savage refused Micah Richards entry into his home after paparazzi snapped antics
That included accusations of diving but there was no denying that this time he had every right to drop to the ground.
After referee Messias blew for a foul and completed the customary arm-stretched-out gesture, he caught an innocent Savage trotting on behind square in the gob with his elbow.
Did Robbie Savage deserve the elbow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
The midfielder’s head, who graced quite the barnet even back then, was knocked back along with his mane of hair before hitting the deck.
Messias immediately signalled for medical attention from the sidelines but even Savage’s team-mates could not help but laugh with Jamie Clapham particularly giggly.
But years after, the referee was previously referred back to the moment as his “best ever” on football after a clip recirculated online.
On Soccer AM’s Facebook page, the Sky Sports programme posted a video of the moment, captioned: “Throwback to 2003 when Robbie Savage received a FLYING ELBOW from a referee against Newcastle.”
And in the comment section, Messias replied: “Well I was the Ref! It was my BEST moment in Football!”
Shearer was in fits of laughter after the ref planted one on one of his old rivals and even grabbed his red card to send the official off.
Savage would have the last laugh, though, with Birmingham claiming all three points on the day after David Dunn scored from a rebounded penalty.
As the Birmingham star hobbled off the pitch holding his jaw, the referee had a quick word with him.
Asked what he said months later, Messias joked: "I told him that if I had meant to hit him he would not have got up but some of my colleagues thought it was deliberate.”
- Birmingham City FC
- Premier League
- Newcastle United FC
- Footballblog
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