McAteer kicks former Liverpool team-mate Owen

Former Liverpool team-mates Michael Owen and Jason McAteer were involved in an angry exchange during a six-a-side match in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.

The pair clashed during the semi-final of the 2019 Star Sixes when England's Owen took a swipe at McAteer's leg and the Ireland midfielder responded by kicking the striker's buttocks.

Both men, who played together at Anfield between 1996 and 1999, appeared to make up as they touched hands, but that did not spare McAteer from the referee who dished out a straight red card for him, but not Owen.

England went on to beat five-man Ireland 1-0 courtesy of a Paul Konchesky strike to book their place in the final where they overcame the Rest of the World 3-2 later in the day.

McAteer and Owen, 39, were seen chatting in the stands during the evening session.

But McAteer was still furious when interviewed by Sky Sports after his side's semi-final defeat.

'The referee got it wrong,' fumed 47-year-old McAteer.

'We had a little pulling of the shirt, spun around and then Michael Owen decided to lash out and I didn't think I wanted to let him get away with it.

'The referee decided he didn't see it, or he didn't want to see it because it was England and Michael Owen.

'We made up a bit and then I gave him a friendly push up the backside.'

Owen scored twice in the final, with Martin Jorgensen, Joe Cole and Gaizka Mendieta also among the goals.