Unusual and surreal penalty awarded during Brazilian league match [Video]

Flamengo’s 2-1 victory over Criciúma in the Brasileirao championship at the Mané Garrincha stadium in Brasilia this Saturday featured one of the most unusual and surreal penalties in history when a visiting player took advantage of there being another ball on the field to cut off a clear attacking play.

At minute 41 of the match and with the score at 1-1, Flamengo was all over Criciúma in search of the equalizer and ended up getting it in the strangest way possible.

From a through ball, Everton received the ball and tried to hit the ball on goal with the inside of his instep, but his attempt was frustrated when Criciúma midfielder Gustavo Barreto avoided the opportunity by hitting the ball in play with the second ball that was in his area.

This provoked an immediate reaction from the main Maguielson Lima Barbosa, who awarded the penalty in a play that is unlikely to have a precedent in world football.

As it was later learned, Lima Barbosa made the decision to cut off a clear attacking opportunity in the middle of the area, which was claimed by all of Criciúma’s players, but based on the rules of football.

According to the rules of football, “throwing an object in the direction of the ball, against an opponent or against a member of the refereeing team” is synonymous with a direct free kick and, since it is inside the penalty area, it is considered a foul, which led to the penalty kick being awarded.

Upon hearing the news, social media was shocked by the play, which ended up being converted into a goal by Gabigol to give his team the victory, while others claimed that the game should have been stopped immediately due to there being two balls on the court.

Watch the video of the striking penalty here:

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