Footballer sent off for headbutting own team-mate - and runs away from referee

Grimsby Town footballer Stefan Payne headbutted his own team-mate and then ran away from the referee to avoid being sent off - only to be given his marching orders in the dressing room.

With the League Two Mariners 1-0 down at Bradford City, the former Barnsley and Bristol Rovers striker was berated by team-mate Felipe Morais as the sides went in for half-time.

The winger laid into Payne for not working hard enough when chasing back, leading to a confrontation between the pair with Payne aiming a head-butt towards his team-mate.

Commentators on Grimsby's iFollow streaming service could not contain their shock at the incident, with the players having to be separated to avoid further conflict.

Payne appeared to head-butt team-mate Felipe Morais

Payne thought he'd gotten away without any punishment, but referee James Bell followed the Town star into the dressing room before brandishing a red card.

Grimsby's official Twitter account condemned the winger, tweeting: "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."

Mariners fans were in agreement, with some calling for Payne to be sacked.

One wrote: "Well this season just gets weirder and weirder. Stefan Payne you stopped running and then headbutted your own player. Cheerio mate. I hope you never play for my club again!"

Another added: "There's no place for that, I hope it's his last game in a Grimsby shirt, his attitude last week applauding the ref was immature enough, he's a grown adult."

"That is the most ludicrous decision I’ve ever seen from a professional football player, hopefully Payne’s last game for the football club. Headbutting your own player sums this season up", was the view of a third Twitter user.

Others called the 29-year-old an "absolute idiot" and begged the club to "Cancel his contract now."

Bradford won the match 1-0 to leave Grimsby seven points from safety with six games to play and facing relegation from League Two.