Gorka Iraizoz Wouldn't Give Messi, Suarez, Pedro the Ball Back in Super Cup
August 18, 2015
Among the fallout from Athletic Bilbao's stunning Spanish Super Cup win over Barcelona, people have started to notice one of the greatest attempts at time-wasting in the history of football.
After Lionel Messi opened the scoring on the night to get Barcelona back into the tie, Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz decided to throw himself onto the ball in an attempt to prevent Barca rushing the ball back to kick-off.
His stubborn determination to hold on to the ball for close to 20 seconds is impressive, even if it is bordering on cheating.
It brings back memories of an infamous incident involving Eden Hazard and a Swansea ballboy. The Chelsea forward was sent off for kicking the ball from underneath the time-wasting youngster.
Mind when Hazard felled the Swansea ball boy? Funny. pic.twitter.com/Sn3Q1N2ExX
— Callum Palmer (@palmer_toon) March 16, 2015
Yes. Eden Hazard would have him. https://t.co/unmOb5MBq6
— Tony Hodson (@tonyhodson1) August 18, 2015
Fortunately, Messi and Co.'s response was a little more restrained, with Iraizoz eventually forced to give the ball up. He got the last laugh, though, as Athletic held on to win their first trophy in 31 years.