On This Day in Football: 5th June

5th June 1968

On this day in 1968, Yugoslavia secured a 1-0 victory over England in the Semi-Final of the European Championships held in Italy. The match was marked by a significant moment in English football history as Alan Mullery became the first England player to be sent off in an international match. The Tottenham Hotspur player was dismissed for retaliation after being on the receiving end of a bad tackle by Yugoslavian player Dobrivoje Trivić. The encounter was notably bad-tempered, contributing to the tension on the field. This match was a pivotal moment in the tournament, as Yugoslavia advanced to the final, leaving England to reflect on their performance and the impact of Mullery’s dismissal.

5th June 1999

Fast forward to 1999, and another significant event unfolded at Wembley Stadium during England’s Euro 2000 qualifier against Sweden. Paul Scholes, a key figure in the England squad, was sent off in the 51st minute after receiving two cautions for foul tackles. This incident marked the only occasion an England player was sent off in an international match at the old Wembley Stadium. Despite the setback, the match continued, but the dismissal of Scholes was a notable moment in the history of England’s international fixtures at the iconic venue. The match against Sweden was a crucial part of England’s campaign to qualify for the Euro 2000 tournament, and Scholes’ sending off added an unexpected twist to the proceedings.