Putting on check 22 men in the final minute of a tensed Porto versus Sporting derby is indeed a hard job for a referee but when ballboys begin fighting players, disaster is inevitable.
It all began in the final minute of injury-time. Sporting had taken a 2-0 first-half lead before Porto finally equalized on 78 minutes following Sebastien Coates’ second-half red.
Dailymail reported that “The ball hung in the air after a stunning Antonio Adan stop and Pepe flung himself at it, apparently taking a blow to the head from Joao Palhinha’s high boot. As the centre-back wailed and writhed in the goalmouth (still keeping an eye on the action) play continued a further minute, until the whistle sparked carnage.”
“The scuffle started with Pepe in the goalmouth as team-mates, substitutes and staff piled in – swamping the officials.
The fighting quickly spread to all corners of the Estadio do Dragao with upwards of 40 men on the pitch.”
“Joao Palhinha and Bruno Tabata were shown reds by the referee, with Agustin Marchesin also carded for Porto. Pepe escaped punishment during the initial brawl but after being dragged away, couldn’t help escalating things once more. “
Moments later – with Pepe still being restrained – the shoving looked to be cooling-off over by the touchline until a ballboy made the unprovoked decision to jog over and shove Matheus Reis, who reacted furiously.
Stewards can be see manhandling the rogue ballboy immediately but it was several minutes before the crowds began to disperse and players trudged reluctantly down the tunnel.
A total of five red-cards were shown during the match but more retrospective action could follow once footage of the melee has been combed over.
The result will stand though, meaning Porto maintain their unbeaten record this season and maintain their lead atop the Primeira Liga, six points clear of Sporting.
