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Ferguson claims David Luiz’s “dying swan” reaction lead to Rafael red

By on May 5, 2013

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that David Luiz’s “dying swan”-like reaction lead to Rafael’s sending off during Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea.  Rafael became the first United player to get sent off in United’s Premier League campaign after David Luiz elbowed the Brazilian twice, before Rafael reacted by lashing out with his right leg.  Although looking in considerable pain after the tackle, Luiz was seen laughing at the feet of assistant referee Sian Massey once noticing Rafael’s sending off a few seconds later.

The indecent happened in the eighty-ninth minute of United’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea, and Ferguson has smartly accused Luiz play-acting to get Rafael dismissed, taking the spotlight off of United’s lackluster performance.

“He retaliates but (David Luiz) quite clearly elbows him twice then rolls about like a dying swan and that convinces the referee. He was smiling. It’s bad. What kind of professional is that?” Ferguson said after the match.

“The ref has been bought by the fact Luiz is rolling about. When a player retaliates he gets punished the most. Luiz rolled about. You see that with European, foreign and South American players. Rafael was rash, he’s young and should know better but retaliation never works. I wouldn’t say it was violent conduct.

‘The referee hasn’t even seen it but he has gone with the fact that Luiz has rolled about on the floor and that has convinced him it was a red card.”

Although United have already clinched their twentieth league title, United will be upset with the loss, as they try to end the season on a high note.

Luiz appeared to be laughing after noticing Rafael's sending off

Luiz appeared to be laughing after noticing Rafael’s sending off

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.