It was supposed to be just another exciting night in the Baller League UK—plenty of action, a bit of flair, and maybe a goal or two to wow the crowd.
But Monday evening at the Copper Box Arena took a fiery turn when former England defender Joleon Lescott got into a scuffle that had fans and teammates holding their breath.
A Wild Night for Deportrio’s Week 2 Wildcard
Lescott, now 42, joined Deportrio as a Week 2 wildcard pick, bringing some Premier League prestige to the league.
The team, stacked with talent and managed by football icons Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, and Gary Lineker, currently leads the Baller League table.
But things got tense during their latest match against Wembley Rangers AFC.
Tempers Flare Near the Dugout
The drama kicked off when Lescott was challenging for the ball near the dugout and got caught up in a rough tackle from England six-a-side player Domingos Pires.
The physicality of the challenge—combined with what looked like a trailing arm—sparked an immediate reaction.
Lescott retaliated by grabbing onto Pires, and before anyone could blink, both players were locked in a heated physical exchange that nearly spilled into the crowd.
Officials and Players Step In to Break It Up
Officials quickly jumped in to separate the two, and several players from Wembley Rangers, including Ben Long, helped restore order.
Micah Richards, who manages Deportrio, was also seen stepping in to move Pires away from the chaos.
But the tension wasn’t over just yet. Even as things cooled on the surface, the exchange of words between Lescott and Pires continued.
At one point, Pires could be heard shouting, “I ain’t scared of you bruv, I ain’t f****** scared of you.”
He later claimed Lescott had instigated the whole thing, while the ex-defender insisted he had done nothing wrong.
Both Players Get Penalized—But Lescott Has the Last Laugh
After the dust settled, the referee gave both Lescott and Pires two-minute penalties to let the heat simmer down.
But once the match resumed, Deportrio came back with purpose.
They dominated the rest of the game and cruised to a 4-1 victory, leaving Lescott and his side ending the night on a high note.
A Return to the Pitch Years After Retirement
Lescott officially retired from professional football in 2017 at 34 and has since been busy in the media world, working as a broadcaster and pundit. But he hasn’t strayed far from coaching either.
He’s now sharpening his skills as an assistant coach for England’s Under-21 team, working alongside former teammate Lee Carsley.