Felipe Melo was sent off for violent conduct after attacking an Atletico Goianiense staff member in the final minutes of Fluminense’s Brazilian league defeat on Sunday evening.
The 40-year-old has a reputation of being one of football’s most ill-disciplined players with 23 career red cards and was given his latest marching orders after a despicable dugout clash.
He was previously involved in several on-pitch bust-ups with Manchester City stars at the most recent FIFA Club World Cup.
Melo was clearly annoyed that his 19th-placed Fluminense side were set to suffer their fifth defeat of the season and exploded with misdirected fury that was taken out on an opposition member of staff.
With the clock ticking down, Melo ran sprinted from the bench and charged into the back of the Atletico employee and sent him toppling headfirst into the turf.
Felipe Melo was sent off for violent conduct after attacking an Atletico Goianiense staff member
Melo charged from the bench and pushed the rival team press officer in the back
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A mass brawl ensued as the two teams clashed near the dugout as several players and other technical staff ran to confront Melo for his disgraceful act of violence.
Melo was subsequently shown a red card after the final whistle and the post-match report of referee confirmed Melo was sent off for his unjustifiable attack on the Atletico Goianiense press officer.
The anger appeared to boil over into the stands with the staff member telling local media that he was additionally ‘scratched in the face’ by Fluminense supporters.
Describing how Melo’s moment of madness unfolded, the Atletico Goianiense media team member told AZScore: ‘I take a jump, honestly, in the adrenaline, I don’t even remember well.
The Atletico Goianiense staff member fell face first into the pitch as a result of being pushed
Pkayers and technical staff from both teams clashed before Melo was shown a red card
‘I hear someone cursing at me, and I am pushed by a despicable and inhumane being, which is Felipe Melo.
‘At no point did I even look at the bench, I didn’t even aim the camera at their bench.
‘Felipe Melo takes pictures in bed with the trophies he wins. But the fact that he has many titles doesn’t change the fact that he is despicable.
‘Everyone in football knows that,’ added the press officer in the aftermath of the Serie A clash.
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