Ex-Arsenal starlet Sanchez Watt sent off for saying his own name to a referee

His red card was immediately rescinded by the referee

(Twitter)

A former Arsenal starlet has been sent off after a referee mistook his name for an act of dissent.

Sanchez Watt, who plays for non-league Hemel Hempstead Town, was asked for his name by referee Dean Hulme because he was going to be shown a yellow card during the National League South game against East Thurrock United.

The 27-year-old then repeatedly replied “Watt”, but Hulme believed he was saying “what?” and showed him a red card instead.

(Twitter (Twitter)

However, the card was swiftly changed to yellow when the mix-up was explained to the referee by Hampstead’s captain.

“It was a human error,” Hemel Hempstead chairman Dave Boggins told BBC Sport. “The referee was man enough to rectify it. I think everybody found it amusing afterwards - including the referee.

“He came into the boardroom after the game and explained how he had made the mistake. He was very apologetic and saw the funny side of it. He was a good ref on the night to be fair to him.”

Watt played three times for the Gunners in 2009 as an 18-year-old in the League Cup, scoring one goal against West Bromwich Albion.