Atlanta United’s Leandro Gonzalez Pirez was given a red card in the 11th minute of Atlanta United’s game against Chicago on Wednesday. He will likely miss Sunday’s pivotal game against New York Red Bulls.
The red card was given because Gonzalez Pirez was called for a handball in the penalty box in the Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity, according to referee Silviu Petrescu. The subsequent penalty kick gave Chicago a 3-0 lead.
Some on social media questioned why Gonzalez Pirez was given a red card and Chicago a penalty kick, citing double jeopardy.
From FIFA’s laws of the game: “If the referee applies advantage during an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and a goal is scored directly, despite the opponent’s handling of the ball or fouling an opponent, the player cannot be sent off but he may still be cautioned.”
FIFA’s laws of the game also say this: Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence, the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs.
“Where a player commits an offense against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances the offending player must be sent off.”
Gonzalez Pirez handled the ball with his trailing arm while sliding.
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