Pazzini was shown his marching orders in record time, after he supposedly intentionally elbowed an opponent in the face.

Italy’s 1-1 draw with Ireland earlier tonight was marred by events that took place in the fourth minute of the match, when the in-form Giampaolo Pazzini was sent off for an intentional elbow to the face of John O’Shea.

The replays indicated that there was certainly no intent or malice shown by Pazzini, meaning that the red card should not have been given.

“I jumped to go for the ball, and then I missed it,” Pazzini explained to RaiSport.

“I was not even paying attention to my opponents, and I simply extended the arms because that is what happens in the dynamics of the movement. You don’t jump with your arms along your sides.

“The referee made a big mistake, one that drastically affected the match, as we were forced to play with ten men. He ruined the game.

“Honestly, I did not even expect to see a yellow for that foul, let alone a red.

The red card means that Pazzini will be forced to miss Italy’s next qualifier against Georgia, which will be played in early September.