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Memphis Depay Critiques CBF’s Decision on Ball-Standing Penalty

Corinthians forward Memphis Depay has voiced his discontent with a recent ruling by the Brazil Football Federation (CBF) that penalizes players for standing on the ball during matches. This new directive stipulates that players who stand on the ball with both feet will be shown a yellow card, with the opposing team being awarded an indirect free-kick.

This decision emerged following an incident during the Paulista A1 final, where Depay executed the controversial maneuver in injury time, leading to heightened tensions on the field and a subsequent confrontation between players from both teams. The incident occurred after Depay deceived the defense near the corner flag, mimicking an attempt to cross the ball into the penalty area, which triggered an aggressive response from Palmeiras players.

As a result of this altercation, both Palmeiras’ substitute goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba and Corinthians midfielder Jose Martinez were dismissed from the match after a lengthy VAR review, contributing to an excess of 18 minutes of stoppage time.

In a follow-up communication to various clubs, the CBF asserted that the act of standing on the ball was deemed a “provocation to a rival and disrespects the game.” However, Depay, a former Manchester United player, argued that such a ruling contradicts the traditional spirit of football in Brazil, a country known for its flair and creativity on the pitch.

As discussions around this rule evolve, it raises broader questions about the balance between maintaining sportsmanship and allowing players to express themselves through skillful plays.

Source
www.bbc.com