Footballer escapes red card for boot throw

Atletico Madrid player Arda Turan escaped a straight red card after the frustrated midfielder threw his boot at a linesman as his club were dumped out of the Copa del Rey.

The incident, captured at the start of the second-half, was just one of many flashpoints during the feisty 3-2 home loss against La Liga rival Barcelona.

A total of 12 yellow cards were handed out, while Atletico had two players sent from the field for incurring two bookable offences.

However, much of the talk after the game was how Turan saw only yellow for his petulance.

In the footage, the Turkish international gets challenged from behind before losing control of the ball.

And in a fit of rage, Arda flicks off his boot and violently hurls it at the linesman, the wayward throw completely missing the official.

He is then shown a yellow card as he tries to put his boot back on his foot.

Atletico went out of the competition 4-3 on aggregate after losing the first-leg of the tie 1-0 at the Nou Camp.