By Chris Wright
Why it was ever considered a good idea is beyond us, but down Brazil way the linesmen come equipped with a little can of temporary spray paint to mark the pitch in the event of of a foul. The paint is most commonly used to mark out ‘yards’ on the turf so players have a clear indication as to where the wall should line up if a free-kick is given, as counting out ten strides is obviously considered a bit ‘old hat’.
The problem being that this new trinket has given a few of the linesfolk delusions of granduer, with many encroaching onto the pitch at every possible opportunity to daub their scrawlings hither and thither – like this plank, who burst onto the field during the final seconds of the Copa Libertadores semi-final second leg between Santos and Corinthians and attempted to paint an entire full ten-yard circle around the free-kick, only to make a right bloody pig’s ear of it…
Someone take that paint off him. Please. For the sake of the game.
Video: 101GG