Watford star Kwadwo Baah was sent off at the final whistle in the Hornets' 2-1 win against Portsmouth on Boxing Day afternoon after taunting fans with a video game celebration.
Baah had been instrumental in securing victory for the hosts, extending their 16-match unbeaten streak at Vicarage Road after going down in the penalty area after being caught by Freddie Potts.
Initially awarded as a goal kick, the referee overturned his initial ruling after input from the linesman to award Watford a penalty – despite replays showing contact had occurred outside the penalty area.
Edo Kayembe got on the spot to equalize in the second half, putting the hosts level for the first time since the tenth minute, and Zak Swanson's opener.
Although it looked like a point would be shared in the championship match going into extra time, Rocco Vata took advantage of Nicolas Schmid straying off his line to punch into an empty net and claim all three for the home side.
But while tensions were at a fever pitch as Geoff Eltringham blew his whistle, Baah couldn't resist rubbing salt in the wounds of the traveling fans in a peculiar way.
Baah made his way over the away support and performed the 'Take the L' dance, popular in Fortnite, angering fans who had already found the player at fault for the controversial equaliser.
Some supporters even tried to enter the pitch, prompting stewards to take action to keep them inside the stands.
Baah's actions also riled the despondent Pompey players, some of whom started for the Germany Under-19 player before his teammates and manager Tom Cleverley could intervene.
The player was later shown a second yellow card for his goading of the traveling support, with Portsmouth boss John Mousinho claiming his behavior was a criminal offence.
Mousinho also attacked Eltringham after the final whistle, insisting his behavior was not up to the required standard.
The manager said: 'I thought the referee's performance, especially in the second half, was well below the standard we need at this level. It was very, very strange, the whole performance.
“I'm furious because we need more. I have no words for how we should deal with this on a weekly basis.'
About Baah, he added: “We will never do that. If one of my players did that, he would be in great danger of never playing for the club again.'
That irked Watford manager Cleverley, who was unimpressed by Mousinho's touchline behaviour, which saw him shown a yellow card after the penalty was awarded.
He said: 'It's disappointing to hear John commenting on my players.
'There was a group of players who kept their heads down in the second half and that reflected from our bench. And there was a group that lost theirs, that was beamed out from their couch.
'I am disappointed with John's comments as his own behavior ultimately cost his team in the second half. I won't point anything at the referee; it was a difficult game to manage.”
However, Cleverley made no attempt to excuse Baah, who had been booked in the first half for a challenge on Matt Ritchie.
“I will handle the KB internally,” he added. “You want to win with humility and dignity.
'I want all my players to be scrutinized at a high level and the KB have to get used to that kind of scrutiny. He will sometimes have to deal with abuse and needs to deal with it better.
'Now he's earning his lesson the hard way. We have to say he deserved it. As players and coaches, you are told not to provoke the fans because of the hostile environment that can create.”
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