Flamengo awarded ‘most bizarre penalty ever’ due to little-known rule as Criciuma players left incensed
A Brazilian Serie A match descended into chaos after the referee awarded a penalty at the death after a second ball entered the field.
Flamengo were drawing 1-1 with Criciuma, but went on to win in bizarre circumstances after a ball was thrown by fans in the crowd into the box.
As Everton Soares entered Criciuma’s box with the original match ball, Barreto appeared to notice the golden opportunity to stop Flamengo’s attack.
He side footed the second ball into the original one, hitting it off course and away from any Flamengo players.
Both teams began to throw their hands in the air and signal for the game to be halted - but the referee had other ideas.
Instead, he blew his whistle and pointed to the spot, leaving both sets of players looking perplexed.
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But the referee was following a little known rule that rarely has to be used during matches.
A direct free-kick is awarded if a player throws an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official, or makes contact with the ball with a held object.
As Barreto was deemed to kick an object - the second ball - into the match ball in the box, this is why a spot-kick was given.
Criciuma players crowded the referee to protest, but Gabriel Barbosa stepped up to slot his penalty home.
He sealed a 2-1 win for Flamengo with 89 minutes on the clock, completing the turnaround after being 1-0 down until the 76th minute and missing another penalty earlier in the game.
Criciuma midfielder Allano was given his marching orders in the aftermath of Flamengo's winner after picking up a second bookable offence.
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Flamengo’s penalty scorer was also booked, whilst Fellipe Mateus, Arthur Caike do Nascimento Cruz and Soares were given yellows, too.
13 yellow cards were given out in total during the fiery encounter.
Fans on social media were amazed by the situation, with one writing: “Is this the most bizarre penalty decision EVER?”
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"That's a penalty all day," another said.
A third quipped: "As far as I reckon it's a penalty here I'm kinda disappointed the defender hasn't been rewarded for his quick thinking."