Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan throws boot at assistant referee

The Turkey international's boot came off in a challenge and promptly launched it at the assistant referee standing along the sideline.

Atletico Madrid ace Arda Turan was booked for throwing his boot at the assistant referee during the club's Copa del Rey encounter with Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

The Turkey international lost his boot in a tackle three minutes into the second half of the game at the Vicente Calderon and then, seemingly incensed at not being awarded a free kick, launched it at the linesman, only narrowly missing the official's head.

It was the most controversial incident in a fiery encounter in the Spanish capital, with Atletico having been infuriated by the referee's failure to award them a penalty for an alleged Jordi Alba handball just seconds before Barca broke to make it 3-2 through Neymar in the 41st minute.

In addition, Fernando Torres and Neymar squared up when the halftime whistile blew, while Raul Garcia was embroiled in an angry exchange with the Blaugrana coaching team before Gabi was dismissed for a separate off-field incident during the interval.