Fans in disbelief as footage emerges of Hannibal Mejbri's 'disgusting' red card offence against Stoke

Hannibal Mejbri could receive a hefty ban after the Burnley midfielder was handed a straight red card for stamping on Stoke City's Junior Tchamadeu during their Championship clash.

The 21-year-old Tunisia international, who joined Burnley from Manchester United in August for a reported £9 million including add-ons, has previously been warned about ill-discipline on the pitch.

And on Wednesday afternoon, Mejbri was shown a straight red card after referee Gavin Ward spotted his stamp on Stoke right-back Junior Tchamadeu in the 86th minute at Turf Moor.

As you can see from the footage below, Mejbri appeared to nudge Tchamadeu to the ground before making contact with his midriff.

"He's frustrated that he's given a short pass away," said the Sky Sports commentator. "His opponent goes to ground and then he stamps on his stomach. What are you thinking, Hannibal? An outrageous display of a lack of discipline."

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the incident.

One fan wrote: "That’s embarrassing. In a game we were piling the pressure on, you stand on someone and send us down to ten men. Woeful from Hannibal."

A second commented: "Absolutely disgrace anyone that defends that wow he’s always got that side of him," and a third said: "That’s a disgrace. I’d say 10 game ban minimum."

A fourth wrote: "Disgusting behavior," while a fifth added: "One of the most pointless, needless red cards you’ll see. Proper let his team and fans down for that."

After the full-time whistle, Burnley boss Scott Parker criticised Mejbri for his actions.

“He’s let the team down, he’s let myself down, he’s let the staff down," Parker said. "He understands that. He’s devastated but I will deal with him and deal with that situation. But he’s a young player still in development."

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire last month, the midfielder opened up on his start to life at Burnley, who currently sit second in the Championship table.

"I like playing football, I like playing at Burnley, I like the squad and I like the fans," he said. "We are progressing, step-by-step, we had a lot of new players and slowly, we started to see a real team.

"On the pitch I like to give everything, I like when there is action when the crowd is with us - it gives more energy for me and I think with my energy I can give more to my team-mates."

Mejbri added: "In my family, everyone tells me that I am completely different on the pitch.

"When I came to England, I was more the nice technical footballer, I had character but I didn't really like tackling but now I've got English football in me! If I'm going to tackle, I'm going to tackle."

Thoughts on the tackle? Let us know in the comments.