19
Apr

A full-scale brawl broke out at the end of the final Copa Libertadores group stage match between Gremio and Huachipato after Gremio manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo allegedly teased his counterpart Jorge Pellicier.

Following the spat, several Huachipato players attempted to chase down Luxemburgo, who then fell to the ground as chaos around him ensued. Players, coaches, ball boys, fans, you name it and they were involved before riot police eventually interfered.

So what did Luxemburgo say to spark such chaos? According to Reuters, Pellicier was quoted as saying: “He tried to make fun of us… That’s unsporting conduct. He said we should go on holiday, making a gesture with his hand.”

Luxemburgo kind of had a point, though it certainly was unsportsmanlike. With the two sides settling for a draw, Gremio advanced to the round of 16 while Huachipato missed out on goal difference.

PS: Anyone else find it hilarious that some of them seriously started to throw and kick soccer balls at the riot police? What’s that gonna accomplish?

20
Feb

Foul play?

In a match in Peru’s top division, the goalkeeper for Unión Comercio collapsed from heat exhaustion, and the ball trickled out from his hands as he lay helplessly on the field.

You would expect a game to be halted with a player curled up on the ground, but play continued and an opposing player from Universidad César Vallejo took advantage and scored.

While we understand that everyone plays the game to win, a little sportsmanship wouldn’t hurt every once in a while, would it?