SUNDERLAND skipper Jason McAteer revealed that Mick McCarthy was so incensed with the bizarre sending-off of Kevin Kyle he thought his manager "was going to kill someone''.

McCarthy had to be physically restrained by Wimbledon counterpart Stuart Murdoch and fourth official Dave McCallum after referee Mark Warren dismissed Kyle in the final minute for two bookable offences.

Kyle reacted to a touchline challenge by Dons defender Rob Gier and, amid the ensuing mayhem, the Scotland striker was ordered off.

Confusion reigned after Warren flashed a yellow card twice at Kyle before raising the red.

McAteer believes the referee misinterpreted the advice of his assistant, which appeared to be that both players should receive a yellow card.

But Warren later confirmed that Kyle was cautioned for "adopting an aggressive attitude'' and shown a second yellow for "pushing''.

McAteer, who was on the periphery of the incident, was dismayed but still managed to see the funny side.

"It was strange,'' he said. "Kevin's touch on the ball got him into trouble - if it had been his usual touch, it would never have happened, but this time he had a decent touch!

"Then it all went off, and I went over to the linesman. He was talking to the referee and he said to him: 'It's two yellows,' and I just interpreted it as one to each player.

"I tapped the linesman on the backside and said: 'Well done.'

"But then the referee proceeded to give Kevin two yellows. I'll be surprised if a referee has ever done that in his career. I've never seen that before, two yellows one after the other and a player off.

"I do honestly believe that the linesman meant a yellow for each player, but it wasn't interpreted like that and Kevin was off.

"I came off the field to talk to the fourth official because I thought it was all getting a bit out of hand and the gaffer was going to kill someone.

"I had to try to calm him down and tell him it was a yellow card to each of them, but I turned round and Kevin was off.''

McCarthy said: "Don't ask me if I'm angry, because I am completely.''

Wimbledon boss Murdoch confirmed: "I was just trying to calm Mick down - I didn't want him to get sent off as well.

"I don't think the referee handled things as well as he could have done. I don't know why he sent Kyle off.''

Sunderland have no right of appeal. The rules state that clubs can only appeal against straight red cards.

Kyle now faces a one-match ban for two bookable offences, and is scheduled to miss the FA Cup third-round tie with Hartlepool United at the Stadium of Light on January 3.

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