The pair were playing for England and Ireland in the Star Sixes competition when sparks flew on the pitch.
Owen appeared to kick out at his former team-mate McAteer, to which the Irishman reacted furiously.
Both players ended up on the floor as Joe Cole and David Dunn rushed in to separate them.
But McAteer charged towards Owen again and kicked out at him before he was sent off.
Owen escaped with just a yellow in scenes that left TV viewers stunned and McAteer seething.
The former defender fumed at the official and said: “He got it wrong didn’t he, the referee?
“We came together, a little pulling off the shirt and we spun around and Michael Owen decided to lash out. I didn’t think I wanted him to get away with it.
“The referee didn’t see it – or didn’t want to see it – as it was England and Michael Owen more to the point.
“We kind of made up a little bit and I gave him a friendly push up the backside and the referee decided to send me off.”
TV replays were then shown on screen to which McAteer gave his version of events.
“You’ll see us come together but how is that not a red card? How is that not a red card?” he fumed.
“It’s because it’s Michael Owen and it’s England. The officials are that bad.”
Owen later admitted he deserved to be sent off and revealed he and McAteer had ‘kissed and made up’.
He tweeted: “Managed to sneak through to the final of @StarSixes. Tough game to come v The Rest Of The World. Can’t believe I escaped a red in the last game!!! Me and @MCATEER4 kissed and made up.”
The official Star Sixes then tried to diffuse the situation by tweeting a picture of the pair enjoying a laugh on the sidelines.
Alongside the picture they wrote: “English fans faces when #England qualified for the final of @fans_bet #StarSixes #Glasgow.”
