An angry footballer who was sent off by the referee decided to off the stadium lights and turn the match into darkness.

Julius Muraga was trying to turn on the showers in the changing room when he made the blunder, which forced the referee to halt the game, as players were finding it impossible to spot the ball.

He denied he did it on purpose because he was in a sulk and claimed he had ‘accidentally’ turned the lights off, when he flicked the switch that controlled the showers.

It happened during his team Kidlington Development’s away fixture at Cheltenham Saracens’ stadium.

Cheltenham won the game by three goals to one to clinch a second place finish in Hellenic League Division One West.

However, the game was held up for around five minutes late on when Muraga was sent off and the lights went out seconds later.