Troy Deeney marked his return to football with a red card after angrily shoving his opponent to the ground. The former Watford striker last played professionally for Forest Green in December 2023 before briefly managing the side, and featured in Baller League on Monday evening.
It was a short-lived return to action, though, as he played for Ian Wright‘s Wembley Rangers side against F.C RTW. Deeney was shown red after putting in a late challenge, with his side already trailing 4-3.
It prompted a furious response from his opponent, who attempted to jump on Deeney’s back before referee Mark Clattenburg separated the pair and gave the former Premier League striker his marching orders.
Deeney’s challenge saw him put a forearm into his opponent, and soon bodies were required to keep the F.C RTW player away from the veteran. Wright was among those who entered the field as part of the melee, as Deeny shook his head.
The 36-year-old was still laughing on the sidelines after being sent-off as his team ultimately fell to defeat. Monday was to be Deeney’s only appearance in the competition.
Baller League is a six-a-side indoor football competition with 12 teams. The likes of Ian Wright and John Terry have taken on management roles and face-off against sides led by YouTube stars such as Angry Ginge.
Ex-Premier League talents such Ciaran Clark and Jordan Ibe have featured in the opening weeks of the tournament. And there have already been some frosty moments.
Terry and Clattenberg were seen in a tense exchange earlier in the month after another match threatened to boil over following a nasty challenge.
Deeney laced up his boots for his return to action as a wildcard for matchday five under the tutelage of Arsenal legend Wright. Away from the pitch, Deeney remains interested in management and could look abroad for an opportunity however.
“Spain and Portugal, because I think the love for the game is ridiculous out there,” Deeney said. “And also Italy, for the tactical point of view and how they are in nutrition.
“I’ve worked with four or five of those types of managers anyway, so I have an insight into how they think and how they look at football. It’s really interesting.”
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