Ex-Premier League midfielder given red card but bizarrely allowed to continue playing after discussion with opponents
FORMER Everton star Davy Klaassen was remarkably sent off for Ajax before being allowed to PLAY ON.
The referee showed Klaassen a straight red with Ajax 2-1 down – but their opponents Stuttgart agreed for the midfielder to continue.
Both managers are said to have agreed that it would be better to continue playing with 11 players each.
Ajax boss Francesco Farioli and Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness could be seen talking after the incident.
And the ref concurred before Klaassen walked back into action in unprecedented scenes in their friendly clash.
Klaassen had committed a nasty foul in the 56th minute but his subsequent red card was seemingly revoked.
Their justification was that both wanted match practice with complete numbers on both sides as the match was a friendly.
They reportedly argued that playing with a man down would not be helpful to either side.
It ended 2-2 after substitute Chuba Akpom levelled in the 85th minute.
Netherlands international Klaassen is in his third spell with Ajax after beginning his career with the Dutch giants.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
The 31-year-old spent one season at Everton, where he played just 16 games as he failed to live up to the £24m fee the Toffees paid Ajax.
Klaassen endured a difficult season in England, falling out of favour with both Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva after Ronald Koeman was fired in October 2017.
He returned in the 2020-23 season before leaving for a year at Inter Milan last term.
He then headed back to the Amsterdam outfit last year, who also boast former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson among their ranks.
Henderson was subbed off to allow other players minutes before the challenge.
Ajax, who sit second in the division behind leaders PSV Eindhoven, are back in Eredivisie action on Saturday against basement side RKC Waalwijk.