Player sent off for reacting to banner showing his severed head

Belgian footballer Steven Defour endured a stormy return to his old club last night - culminating in a sending-off.

The player played with Belgian side Standard Liege from 2006 to 2011 before leaving to join Portuguese side FC Porto. In 2014 he returned to Belgium to play with Liege’s bitter rivals Anderlecht.

The midfielder travelled to Liege with Anderlecht yesterday, where the home support had a very hostile welcome for their former player.

Tifo #staand pic.twitter.com/X3fD326RhI

— Stijn Joris (@stijnjorisfh) January 25, 2015

Defour was angered by the behaviour of the Liege fans and eventually lost his temper, kicking the ball hard and straight into the home stand.

He was even angrier when the referee responded by sending him off - Defour pointed furiously at the home fans when he was shown the red card.

Standard liege VP Bruno Venanzi has condemned the banner displayed on Sunday (vs Anderlecht) and says fans responsible will face sanctions.

— John Chapman (@BelgoFoot) January 26, 2015

The travelling Anderlecht support were also unhappy with the sending-off and plastic seats in their area were torn from the stands and thrown on the pitch.

To cap off a disastrous afternoon for the visitors, Standard Liege went on to win 2-0.