Video: Luis Fabiano of Sao Paulo receives a red card for some terrible playacting

Although Sao Paulo beat rivals Corinthians 2-0 in a spirited Copa Libertadores clash on Wednesday, the fans stood witness to arguably one of the most embarrassing sending offs in football. Luis Fabiano was shown his second yellow after trying to play on a non-existent foul.

Sao Paulo already had a comfortable two-goal advantage, but Fabiano seems to have been trying to gain a greater advantage by trying to get the former Sevilla striker John Stiven Mendoza sent off, but things didn’t turn out the way he expected.

The Brazilian tried to pull his charade when the linesman’s back was turned towards him, upon which he went down holding onto his face in an effort to convince the officials he had been fouled by the opposition. 

The referee was not fooled by his playacting, but the surprising element was the official’s decision to issue Mendoza a red card as well, though he seemed to not have made any contact with Fabiano.