Viral Video of the Day: Benfica Captain Luisao Knocks Down Referee

Life can be tough sometimes for referees.

On an average workday, an average referee must run several kilometers, keep up with world-class athletes, make split-second decisions that affect people's livelihoods and, if he's handling a Chelsea game, endure 90 minutes of John Terry's cursing.

And then there are days like the one above.

On the day in the video above, which serves as Monday's B/R World Football Viral Video of the Day, referee Christian Fischer is embroiled in an angry confrontation with Benfica captain Luisao.

The confrontation occurred during a preseason match between Benfica and newly promoted Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Incensed by Fischer's decision to send off Benfica's Javi Garcia for a second yellow card, Luisao knocks Fischer to the pitch.

Then, things get interesting.

Fischer stays on the ground, apparently knocked cold for a few moments. The match, which was supposed to be a friendly, is abandoned in the 39th minute.

It's hard to see what happens, but in the slow-motion replays, it almost looks like Luisao head-butts Fischer. If nothing else, he runs at him aggressively and knocks him over.

Later, Benfica's players accused Fischer of taking a dive. Per Metro:

"

"I was surprised. I did not make any aggressive move. I tried to be ahead of my colleagues and I saw the referee fall," said Luisao.  "I tried to talk to the assistants still on the pitch to explain my intention."

"

Sure you did. And they probably ran for the hills.

What do you say, readers? Good form, or worthy of a lengthy ban?

 

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