Ex-Arsenal star Lukas Podolski is sent off at a game of his own charity tournament

Former Arsenal star Lukas Podolski was recently sent off during his own charity football tournament after angrily confronting a referee.

The former Germany international competed with his current team Górnik Zabrze in the Schauinsland Reisen Cup when they faced five other European teams indoors.

Podolski has been involved with the initiative for many years, but things took a turn for the worse for the former Gunner in the semi-final match against Rot-Weiss Essen.

Lukas Podolski was sent off after an altercation with a referee at his own benefit tournament

The ex-Arsenal star gave his marching orders and climbed over the billboards

The intense duel was full of fouls and eventually three penalties were awarded – which some players felt was unfair, including Podolski.

In the final moments of the game, the German brought down one of his opponents in his own penalty area and was sent to the bench by the referee.

However, outraged by the decision, Podoloski dismissed the referee’s call and instead marched over and angrily began to dissent.

In response, the referee showed the former Arsenal star a red card – who obeyed and walked off the pitch and over the barrier.

His performances didn’t stop there, however, as the ex-Germany star continued to show his displeasure by splashing water across the pitch and towards the officials.

Podolski was outraged by the decision as he stood on the sidelines with his teammates

The forward threw water across the field and towards the match officials on the touchline

Podolski’s side, Górnik Zabrze, played the rest of the game one player short of their opponents, which proved costly as Rot-Weiss Essen scored shortly thereafter.

Gornik played the third place match against 1. FC Kaan Marienborn, which they won, while Essen beat Blau-Weiss Lohne 8-3 in the final.

Podolski has played for the Polish team for the last two seasons after playing for Antalyaspor, Vissel Kobe and Galatasaray.

The 37-year-old spent three years in north London with Arsenal, scoring 31 goals in 82 games in all competitions. He also won an FA Cup with the Gunners.

Podolski spent three years at Arsenal, scoring 31 goals in 82 games in all competitions