Alaves Goalkeeper Gets Sent Off For Catching The Ball Outside The Area

After months of quarantine, Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco completely forgot the rules of football upon his return to action today.

The 28-year old goalkeeper was in the sticks for his side's game away at Espanyol in La Liga today but lasted just 18 minutes on the pitch.

Pacheco blatantly caught the ball outside his area and was promptly shown a red card by the referee, who had one of the easiest decisions of his career to make.

After Pacheco's dismissal, Roberto, who made a number of key errors playing for West Ham this season, replaced his fellow Spaniard in goal.

The incredible gaffe from Pacheco follows on from a classic howler made by San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini in the 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifier defeat to Scotland back in October.

With nobody anywhere near him, Simoncini casually picked up the ball outside the box and conceded a free-kick that Scotland subsequently scored from.

Some fans argued that the 33-year-old thought played had stopped for the downed Scotland player but we're often told the golden rule of football is to play to whistle.

Topics: Football News, Football, La Liga

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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