Manager headbutts player and gets red card in FA Cup drama that starts huge brawl

Oldham Athletic manager Micky Mellon was shown a straight red card after an apparent headbutt on Sheffield Wednesday's Callum Slattery.

Micky Mellon appeared to headbutt Sheffield Wednesday's Callum Slattery. — Micky Mellon appeared to headbutt Sheffield Wednesday's Callum Slattery (Image: TNT Sports)

Micky Mellon, the manager of League Two outfit Oldham Athletic, was sent off for headbutting an opposition player in dramatic FA Cup scenes. Mellon was forced to leave the technical area for the closing moments and extra time of his side's encounter against Sheffield Wednesday after receiving a straight red card for the altercation.

In what marked Dave Challinor's first match at the helm of Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham were attempting to spring a surprise against their League One rivals. They went ahead shortly after the hour through Calum Kavanagh.

They were, however, hauled back level in the 76th minute when David Kellior-Dunn found the net for the Owls. That strike forced the tie into additional time.

But it was during the dying stages of regulation time when tensions boiled over. Mellon appears to thrust his head towards Wednesday's Callum Slattery in a confrontation between the pair.

The flashpoint triggered mayhem amongst the players from both teams. Once calm was re-established, the official produced a straight red card to the Oldham boss.

Micky Mellon, manager of Oldham Athletic clashes with players from Sheffield Wednesday and is subsequently sent off during the Emirates FA Cup First Round match between Oldham Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday. (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

"It's all going off here, there's little one v ones as well," co-commentator Glenn Hoddle told TNT Sport. "Everyone is involved. I don't know what on earth the manager is thinking there, I really don't."

With scores level after 90 minutes, the match went to extra time. Remarkably, despite their manager's absence from the touchline, Oldham struck the decisive goal to book their place in the second round.

The duration of Mellon's suspension is yet to be confirmed, with the FA potentially pursuing further disciplinary measures over the incident. Oldham will discover their second-round opponents when the draw takes place on Monday evening.

The fixture is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, December 5. Among the possible adversaries are Leicester City, who lifted the trophy five years ago and dispatched Oxford City in the first round, or seventh-tier Wimborne Town, who pulled off a shock by knocking out Crawley Town in their first-round clash.

Speaking in the build-up to the tie, Mellon reflected on the chance the FA Cup presents to create lasting memories. "I love the FA Cup. I've had good moments in it and love when it comes around this time of the year," he said.

"If we can make some memories for the fans and for the players as well and their families, and ourselves, that's the thing that you try to attack. It's still a romantic competition that everybody still gets excited about."