{"id":290850,"date":"2023-08-30T08:03:56","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T08:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=290850"},"modified":"2023-08-30T08:03:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T08:03:56","slug":"referee-who-whacked-savage-in-the-face-calls-it-his-best-moment-in-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/referee-who-whacked-savage-in-the-face-calls-it-his-best-moment-in-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Referee who whacked Savage in the face calls it his "best moment in football""},"content":{"rendered":"
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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 \u201cbest moment in football\u201d.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    However, despite the stars on show, the match is best remembered for one of the most hilarious moments in Premier League history. <\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Robbie Savage refused Micah Richards entry into his home after paparazzi snapped antics<\/b><\/p>\n

    That included accusations of diving but there was no denying that this time he had every right to drop to the ground.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    Did Robbie Savage deserve the elbow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    The midfielder\u2019s head, who graced quite the barnet even back then, was knocked back along with his mane of hair before hitting the deck.<\/p>\n

    Messias immediately signalled for medical attention from the sidelines but even Savage\u2019s team-mates could not help but laugh with Jamie Clapham particularly giggly.<\/p>\n

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    But years after, the referee was previously referred back to the moment as his \u201cbest ever\u201d on football after a clip recirculated online.<\/p>\n

    On Soccer AM\u2019s Facebook page, the Sky Sports programme posted a video of the moment, captioned: \u201cThrowback to 2003 when Robbie Savage received a FLYING ELBOW from a referee against Newcastle.\u201d <\/p>\n

    And in the comment section, Messias replied: \u201cWell I was the Ref! It was my BEST moment in Football!\u201d<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Savage would have the last laugh, though, with Birmingham claiming all three points on the day after David Dunn scored from a rebounded penalty.<\/p>\n

    As the Birmingham star hobbled off the pitch holding his jaw, the referee had a quick word with him.<\/p>\n

    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.\u201d<\/p>\n