IN the world's most popular sport, a badly-timed fart is apparently a serious offence.

A Swedish footballer copped two yellow cards then a red for a "deliberate provocation" described by the referee as "unsportsmanlike behaviour".

Adam Lindin Ljungkvist was playing in the match between Järna SK's reserve team and Pershagen SK when he was given a second yellow card late in the match.

The 25-year-old told local media he "had a bad stomach, so I simply let go".

"Then I received two yellow cards and then red. Yes, I was shocked, it's the strangest thing I have ever experienced in football.

"I asked the referee, 'What, am I not allowed to break wind a little?' 'No,' he replied …

"I don't get it but maybe he thought I farted in my hand and threw the fart at him. But I did not."

Opposition striker Kristoffer Linde told the same paper the fart was "loud and clear" despite standing well away from the Ljungkvist.

"It's the strangest thing I've seen on a pitch and I've been playing football since I was eight years old."

Referee Dany Kako said the farting was deliberate and inapproriate.

"Therefore, he received a yellow card."

After the match, the windy Ljungkvist said he spoke to the referee, and called him a buffoon.