Author: Brooks Peck

Referee changes his mind after sending off Palmeiras player, who runs back from dressing room

It was up to Palmeiras defender Egidio to stop Chapecoense’s William Barbio after he beat another defender with a clever move. Egidio’s challenge proved effective as he stripped Barbio of the ball, but the attacker also went to ground in the process. This prompted the referee to show Egidio a red card. It was not the end of the story, though.

While Egidio headed down the tunnel in disbelief, the referee consulted with his assistants, who told him that the challenge was actually a good one. To his credit, the referee took on his colleague’s advice and put his ego to one side, then told Egidio’s teammates to call him back from the dressing room. So Egidio came jogging back out to rapturous applause from the home crowd.

This was about the only thing that went Palmeiras’ way in this match, however. Chapecoense went on to win 5-1.

(Thanks to Ryan Lloyd for the tip!)

DTotD: 1860 Munich doctor slips and kicks injured player

1860 Munich’s team doctor employed a unique method of treating an injured player during Friday’s match against Arminia Bielefeld. Instead of treating captain Christopher Schindler with traditional medicine, he slipped as he approached Schindler and accidentally kicked him in his injured leg.

Logic might tell you that this is the worst thing that he could have done to the player, but it actually worked. Schindler returned and played out the rest of the match. Checkmate, western medicine.

This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicle of unfortunate events. 

Thierry Henry’s dramatic reaction to hearing Brendan Rodgers has been sacked

Brendan Rodgers has been sacked by Liverpool after their 1-1 draw with Everton. Upon hearing the news live on the air with Sky Sports, Thierry Henry reacted like an actor in a soap opera who just saw a character thought to be dead, reaching out to steady himself on Jamie Carragher’s thigh, even though he was already sitting down.

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Jose Mourinho gives seven-minute response to one question after Southampton loss

Jose Mourinho appears to have entered the “final scene of Scarface” portion of his second stint with Chelsea after yet another loss, this time going down 3-1 at home to Southampton. After the match, he worked a medley of his greatest hits into a lengthy response to his interviewer’s one and only question to him.

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Pele is unsure why everyone cares about Cristiano Ronaldo scoring less than half as many goals as him

I am Pele, the greatest footballer of all time and the source material for all official Pele hair diamonds.

Everyone is talking about Cristiano Ronaldo reaching 500 goals for his career. To him, I say the same thing I told my nephew when he turned 10 years old: “Congratulations, but who cares? I scored 1,283 goals. I am Pele.” This is like the whole world celebrating someone who runs a seven-minute mile when the record is three minutes and 43 seconds. It’s not a big deal. Trust me. I’m Pele.

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David Beckham picks Milan as Champions League favorites even though they’re not in it

Despite having more money than the Queen, David Beckham is still doing the usual retired footballer things like attending store openings in Dubai. During this appearance, Beckham was asked who he thinks will win the Champions League this year.

“Who do I want to win is a different story to who I think is gonna win, well maybe it’s not actually,” he began. “I’m gonna have to say Man United, PSG, AC Milan. One of those three I’d like to see win, but when you’re in the Champions League you realize how important this competition is in football and it’s one of the best competitions to actually play in and definitely to win.”

The problem, of course, is that Milan didn’t qualify for the Champions League this year since they finished 10th in Serie A last season. Now, a recently retired player not paying super close attention to the game is understandable given how painful Beckham has admitted it is to no longer be out there himself. But if you’re going to just name the clubs you used to play for, why leave out Real Madrid?! Or maybe have some fun with it and say the LA Galaxy. Or just say “I don’t give a crap about the Champions League, I have more money than the Queen.”

You’re slipping, Becks. You’re slipping.