With one eye on the FA Cup final a week later, Newcastle faced Blackburn in a dull end-of-season game which made its way past the hour mark without incident. That was until Batty clashed with Rovers midfielder Garry Flitcroft. After throwing a punch at the Rovers man, referee David Elleray was quick to produce the red card and send Newcastle's combative midfielder for an early shower. Although it didnt end there. In a season in that had already seen Paolo di Canio red carded and severely punished for shoving referee Paul Alcock, you would have thought that players would do everything in their power to avoid a similar fate. This didn't stop Dave from shoving Elleray. Di Canio had just earned an 11-game ban for his pushing episode but Batty was only given six for his. Fair to say he got off lightly.
