Red-Card-Happy Soccer Referee Sends Off Four Players At Once (GIF, Video)

A red card can swing a soccer game’s momentum like few other incidents, but how should fans and viewers react amid a barrage of dismissals?

Soccer fans in Brazil endured an epic mood swing Sunday when referee Joao Batista de Arruda sent off four players at the same time during Flamengo’s 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama in the Campeonato Carioca (Rio de Janeiro state championship).

The chaos started with a cynical foul and quickly escalate to a near-brawl, which cooler heads narrowly averted. Posturing then followed before Batista de Arruda, who was watching the scene unfold with his officiating crew, stepped in and administered justice.

Batista de Arruda dismissed Flamengo’s Anderson Pico and Paulinho, while Vasco’s Pablo Guinazu and Bernado shared the same fate. All four dismissals took place in the span of around two seconds, which has to be some kind of hand-speed record.

The video of the incident provides more context for the referee’s burst of red cards.

Female ref shouts down protesting player (video) >>

GIF via Reddit
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ManagerChampion