Net malfunction causes problems in South America

Skip to [6.05] for the juicy bit

Spoiler fans have become acquainted with Brazilian side Botafogo through their love of awful penalties and good old fashioned rioting.

This weekend, the top flight side landed back on our radar after right back Alessandro scored a header [6.05 in the video]. Conventionally, the ball must go between the posts to be a legitimate goal, but Alessandro’s effort reached the back of the net via a gaping hole in the side netting.

The referee - who may or may not have been Stuart Attwell -  allowed the goal, but rival Boavista players complained for nearly ten minutes until the decision was reversed. The controversy rages on, however, as Botafogo’s manager suggested the officials used video evidence to reach their decision, which is currently against the rules.

[101GG]

Botafogo/ Fluminense match decided by girly strike

Budding footballers take note: when taking a spot kick, try not to give the keeper enough time to dive both ways.

The beautiful game gets ugly in Brazil

Once again, South Americans who turned up at a game expecting to see some football were bitterly disappointed, as a Brazilian contest between Botafogo and Nautico turned into an exercise in riot policing.

After putting in a perfectly legitimate challenge on a player who proceeded to perform a spasmodic dive, Botafogo defender Andre Luis was sent off. Obviously a little miffed, he showed his dissatisfaction to the home fans, and soon after the cops layed the smackdown on players and fans:

A player was arrested after being sent off in a Brazilian championship match and riot police used pepper spray and truncheons