A cheeky display of skill by Chelsea target Neyser Villarreal ignited a chaotic scene during a Colombian derby match.
The 19-year-old midfielder received a yellow card for what was deemed a provocative move. This occurred while his team, Millonarios F.C., was leading Santa Fe 2-0, and it led to tempers flaring on the pitch.
In the 76th minute, with Millonarios attacking and aiming for a third goal, Villarreal appeared to taunt the opposing team, given his side`s dominant position in the match.
As Christian Mafla approached, Villarreal cleverly controlled the ball by standing on it before passing to a teammate and moving into the penalty area.
Referee Jose Ortiz immediately noticed this action and approached Villarreal with a yellow card in hand.
Many observers felt that this audacious move was disrespectful and against the spirit of sportsmanship, especially considering Santa Fe was already playing with ten men.
According to Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, unsporting behavior can be penalized with a yellow card, and actions perceived as showboating can fall under this rule.
The booking of Villarreal for his act of standing on the ball immediately sparked anger among players from both teams.
Several Santa Fe players confronted him in the penalty box, before his Millonarios teammates intervened to defend him.
Villarreal then retreated up the field, pursued by Santa Fe veterans Mafla and Hugo Rodallega Martinez.
Shortly after this incident, Millonarios manager David Gonzalez substituted Villarreal to defuse the escalating tensions.
Millonarios won the match 2-0, placing Santa Fe in second and Millonarios in fifth position in the Categoria Primera A league table.
Sources indicate that Chelsea is monitoring Villarreal`s progress as a potential transfer target during the upcoming summer transfer window.
This year, the young player contributed to Colombia`s third-place finish in the U-20 South American Championship.
Since joining the Millonarios first team, he has made 12 appearances and provided one assist.
Last year, Chelsea secured the signing of another South American prodigy, Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, in a deal worth £28 million.
The 17-year-old Brazilian is expected to join Chelsea at Cobham training ground this summer.
Furthermore, Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, Angelo, and 17-year-old Kendry Paez are also set to arrive in 2025.
