Physio’s Shocking Send-Off Leaves Norwegian Football Fans Stunned
Published 15:04 21 Jul 2024 GMT+1
In a bizarre incident that has left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads, a physio was sent off during a Norwegian top-flight fixture over the weekend. The referee’s decision to show Joao Ferreira a red card has sparked debate about the strictness of the officiating in the country.
The drama unfolded during Sarpsborg’s clash with Brann, with the score locked at 0-0 and just five minutes remaining. A Sarpsborg player went down with what appeared to be cramp, prompting Ferreira to rush onto the pitch to attend to him. However, the referee booked the physio for entering the field without permission, sparking a heated exchange between the two.
Ferreira was shown a second yellow card and a red, leaving him stunned and laughing in disbelief. The incident was captured on camera, with the physio initially refusing to leave the pitch before being escorted away by Brann players.
The sending-off has sparked a lively debate on social media, with many fans questioning the referee’s decision. "Never seen anything like this," wrote one fan on X. Another commented: "Ref has a clownmaster degree."
The incident is a rare occurrence in Norwegian football, where referees have been cracking down on dissent in recent years. While the introduction of VAR has taken decision-making power away from on-field officials, it’s essential that a certain level of respect is maintained between them and players.
The drama didn’t end there, as Sarpsborg went on to take the lead in the 91st minute before Brann snatched a point in the fourth minute of injury-time. While the result was a thrilling one, the sending-off of Ferreira will undoubtedly be the talking point of the match.
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