GRIMSBY’S first half with Bradford descended into chaos after Stefan Payne headbutted his own team-mate.
The League Two strugglers had just fallen behind when the Bantams’ Anthony O’Connor opened the scoring in the 42nd minute.
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With tensions rising, they came to a head just minutes after when team-mates Payne and Filipe Morais were involved in an astonishing bust-up.
It was sparked when Morais played a pass down the line looking for Payne.
The ball was wayward and Payne was apparently furious, making his frustrations known to the Portuguese winger.
Morais, 35, fired back with his own comments before the two squared up as the half-time whistle blew.
Payne then completely lost his cool and pushed his head towards Morais in front of the officials while the players were heading for the tunnel.
The referee then followed Payne to the dressing room before brandishing him a red card.
Grimsby’s Twitter account summed up the incident with the comment: “Town fall behind at the end of the first half…which has seen Payne see red for headbutting Morais at the end of the half…unforgivable.”
According to the Bradford club commentator, Payne was in tears with guilt after realising he had cost his side while Morais was hooked off at half-time.
The club’s fans were up in arms with one writing: “Ridiculous. We’re fighting for survival and he goes and does something like that.”
Another added: “He can walk home and never play for Grimsby again. Absolutely unforgivable.”
The bust-up will do Grimsby’s hopes of staying in the Football League no favours whatsoever.
They have won just seven all season and the rock-bottom side sit seven points adrift of safety.
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