Football records are vast and there is no limit to what anyone, talented or not, can achieve over the course of their respective careers as a professional, good or not.

While many make their names by setting important milestones, others make theirs by surpassing them. But some set unwanted records, and those who take over from them.

Among the unfortunate ones is the fastest red cards in football history, occurrences that may arise for different reasons. Even the best of purposes can result in such a disaster.

Substitutes keen to impress their managers due to limited opportunities and players who lost their heads right after kickoff are mostly guilty of these, and many of them have left referees with no other option than to respond with the red card.

Recently, Getafe's Allan Nyom was sent off after 37 seconds of coming off the bench in a LaLiga clash with Real Madrid, but his timing is nowhere near those who rank in the top 10 for the fastest red cards in football history.

From zero seconds to the multiple victims who didn't or just about spent double digits of seconds in the pitch, Betrekatips ranks the 10 fastest red cards in football history.

10 fastest red cards in football history

10. Kevin Pressman of Sheffield Wednesday in 2000 (13 seconds)

Kevin Pressman received one of the fastest red cards after only 13 seconds of a Sheffield Wednesday match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2000.

Pressman charged out of his box to clear a through ball but misjudged its flight, forcing him to use his hands to block the shot.

The referee immediately issued a straight red card for the infringement, sending the Englishman for an early shower. At the time, this was the fastest red card from the start of a game in English professional football.

9. Giuseppe Lorenzo of Bologna in 1990 (10 seconds)

It took just 10 seconds for Giuseppe Lorenzo to receive his marching orders during one of his appearances for Bologna against Parma in December 1990, adding his name to an unwanted record as one of the fastest red cards in football history.

The Italian forward, known to be a no-nonsense player, struck an opponent immediately after kickoff, and the referee wasted no time in brandishing the straight red card, severely disadvantaging Bologna for the remainder of the match.

That, at the time, was the fastest red card in football history, although it has long been overtaken by other scenarios.

7. Kaio Wilker of Botafogo in 2021 (9 seconds)

In one of the most recent cases, Brazilian midfielder Kaio Wilker was shown a red card for Botafogo in a 2021 Copa do Nordeste match against Treze.

Just nine seconds after the kick-off, Wilker committed a rash and aggressive foul, launching himself into a tackle with both feet off the ground against a Treze defender.

The dangerous nature of the challenge warranted the immediate dismissal. The referee did not hesitate to issue a straight red card for the violent conduct, making it one of the quickest sending-offs in South American football history.

7. Tomo Sugawara of Tokyo Verdy in 2009 (9 seconds)

Former Japanese player Tomo Sugawara was sent off for Tokyo Verdy after just nine seconds in a 2009 J2 League match against Sagan Tosu.

The incident occurred immediately after the kick-off when the midfielder misjudged a pass. In a desperate attempt to stop his opponent, Kei Ikeda, from advancing toward the goal, Sugawara deliberately put out his arm to impede the player.

The referee immediately deemed the offense a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity and showed the Tokyo Verdy player a straight red card. Sugawara accepted the swift dismissal, which became one of the fastest in Japanese professional football history.  

6. Ze Carlos of Cruzeiro in 2009 (7 seconds)

Playing for Cruzeiro against rivals Atlético Mineiro in the Classico Minero in 2009, Ze Carlos was engulfed by an impulsive moment of madness.

Barely seven seconds after the whistle sounded to start the game, the striker shockingly lashed out. With the ball still near the center circle, he deliberately swung an elbow into the face of his opponent, Renan Teixeira.

Before his teammates could even process the start of the game, Ze Carlos was shown the red card and sent off, leaving his club facing their fierce rivals a man down for the entire match, and having his name on the list of the fastest red cards in football history.

4. Serge Djiehoua of AO Glyfadas in 2013 (3 seconds)

Serge Djiehoua received one of the fastest red cards in history while playing for Greek Second Division side AO Glyfadas against Olympiacos Volou in 2013.

With his team 3-1 down, the Ivorian striker was brought on as a substitute in the 82nd minute, aiming to provide an impact. However, a mere three seconds after entering the field of play, Djiehoua was shown a straight red card.

As he ran to take up his position, he became involved in a tangle with an opponent, Athanasios Pindonis. Djiehoua extended an arm, which appeared to make minimal contact with the player's chest area, causing Pindonis to fall dramatically.

The referee judged the action to be violent conduct and immediately dismissed the substitute. Djiehoua's comical reaction of laughing and shaking his head in disbelief highlighted the harshness and bizarre nature of his early exit.  

4. David Pratt of Chippenham Town in 2008 (3 seconds)

David Pratt made headlines for receiving one of the fastest red cards in football history following his sending off just three seconds after kick-off in a Southern Premier League match in 2008.

The English defender was playing for Chippenham Town against Bashley, charged straight from the whistle, and launched a reckless, high tackle on an opponent before anyone had touched the ball more than once.

Although Pratt, later admitted the challenge was mistimed rather than malicious, he was shown a straight red card for his offence, and went down as one of the recipients of the fastest red cards in football history.

3. Lee Todd of Cross Farm Park Celtic in 2000 (2 seconds)

Lee Todd's dismissal in 2000 is one of the most bizarre and the fastest red cards from the start of a match in football history, clocking in at just two seconds.

The amateur striker, in action for Cross Farm Park Celtic against Taunton East Reach Wanderers, stood near the referee, Peter Kearle, at the initial kick-off. When the whistle was blown to start the game, Todd was startled by its loud volume.

In an involuntary reaction, he muttered, "F**k me, ref, that was loud!"

Despite claiming the comment was not aimed at the official or any opponent, the referee immediately brandished a straight red card for foul and abusive language. Todd's protest that he had merely reacted to the sound was disregarded, securing his place in history as one of the quickest send-offs after the game had officially started.  

Who owns the record for the fastest red card in football history?

Walter Boyd and Keith Gillespie share the record for the fastest red cards in football history at zero seconds, an awkward achievement no one can beat but only equal.

1. Walter Boyd of Swansea City in 2000 (0 seconds)

Former Jamaican striker Walter Boyd was among the players who set a record for the fastest red cards in football history, playing zero minutes in a cameo before being dismissed during his time at Swansea City in the English third division in 2000.

The unfortunate incident occurred when Boyd was substituted onto the field with just seven minutes left to play. His first act was to throw an elbow into the face of Darlington's Martin Gray, earning himself a red card before play resumed.

Although Body spent 57 seconds on the pitch from the moment he entered until he walked off, he was officially registered as having not taken part in the match.

1. Keith Gillespie of Sheffield United in 2007 (0 seconds)

Former Sheffield United player Keith Gillespie tops our list for one of the most bizarre and rapid dismissals in Premier League history.

During a heated encounter with Reading in January 2007, the ex-Northern Ireland international was subbed on midway through the second half. However, before play could even resume, Gillespie was sent off after flinging his forearm into the face of Reading's Stephen Hunt right in front of the linesman.

The referee had no option but to issue an immediate red card, marking the incident as the fastest red card in football history, taking zero seconds as play was about to restart.