‘That’s naughty’ – How Emerson Palmieri earned bizarre red card after winning a penalty for Marseille against Sporting
Updated 23/10/2025 at 00:02 GMT+1
Marseille left-back Emerson Palmieri was involved in a bizarre incident that cost his side dear in their UEFA Champions League clash away to Sporting CP. The former Chelsea and West Ham defender went down in the Sporting box and appeared to have won Marseille a penalty and a chance to double their lead. However, upon review, it was deemed he had taken a dive and he paid a heavy price.
'Don't book him, ref!' - Emerson sent off for 'dive' after VAR review
Video credit: TNT Sports
Marseille left-back Emerson Palmieri went from hero to villain in an instant in the French side’s UEFA Champions League clash away to Sporting CP on Wednesday night.
The visitors, leading 1-0 after Igor Paixao’s early opener, looked set to have a golden chance to double their advantage on the stroke of half-time when referee Rade Obrenovic pointed to the spot in the 44th minute after Palmieri hit the deck.
The Sporting players were incensed and surrounded Obrenovic. Maximiliano Araujo, the Sporting defender involved in the incident, looked stunned that he had been adjudged to have been at fault.
"It’s a massive moment here in the first half," came the call from the TNT Sports commentary box, as the VAR was having a look.
"Just got to it first I think Emerson, which is maybe what made up the referee’s mind. But was there contact that caused him to go down in the manner that he did?"
Obrenovic was called to the monitor. That usually only means one thing. But how would the Slovenian referee see it?
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"Was the contact initiated by Emerson Palmieri? That’s the angle that seems to show it might’ve been," continued the commentary team.
After a tense wait, the verdict was in: no penalty. Instead, it was a yellow for simulation. A blow for Marseille in their quest for an away win, but it quickly got worse.
Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva appeared to remind the man in the middle that Emerson had already been cautioned and out came the red card.
The commentary said it all. "What a dramatic turnaround. Marseille, from thinking they had a penalty and a chance to double their lead just before half-time, have gone down to 10."
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Reviewing the incident on the TNT Sports Goals Show, Fara Williams was in no doubt it was a dive.
"He must have long toenails," Williams said. "If he’s got this [first] it must be the toenails. That’s a dive, isn’t it?"
Don Hutchison agreed and called for Emerson to be cautioned, adding: "Oh my days, book him for diving. That is naughty."
Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi looked on in disbelief from the touchline as Emerson trudged off the pitch.
Geny Catamo equalised for Sporting in the second half and Antony's late winner sealed a 2-1 victory for the hosts. This was a night to forget for Marseille.
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