By Chris Wright
Clarence Seedorf’s exemplary, almost immaculate career is almost typified by the lack of cards he’s been shown, having only ever picked up one single red card in his 21 years as a professional.
However, that was before last weekend, when the Dutch midfielder, now aged 36 and gradually winding down in Brazil with Botafogo, was shown his second ever red when he was booked twice in a minute for the heinous crime of “refusing to leave the pitch the right way after being substituted” against Madureira.
Basically, the referee instructed Seedorf to exit the pitch on the near side to save the time, though Seedorf had other ideas – deliberately attempting to trudge across the pitch and back to the Botafogo bench. The ref took umbrage, booked Seedorf for his insolence and then flashed a second yellow when the former Milan man continued to disobey orders…
As red card offences go, “deliberately jogging in the wrong direction” has got to be up there with the very softest!
(Via Guardian)