The images of Lionel Messi's tribute to Diego Maradona have gone around the world, with the Barcelona forward taking off his Blaugrana shirt to reveal a Newell's Old Boys jersey after scoring against Osasuna on Sunday.
Given the rules regarding removing a shirt after scoring, referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had no choice but to book the Argentine for his celebration.
In his match report, though, the referee went into far more detail than he needed to when explaining what happened.
"In the 73rd minute, the player Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini was booked for the following reason: taking off his shirt after scoring a goal, revealing a new shirt of Newell's Old Boys from the 1993/94 season, with the No.10 on the back," read the official report that Mateu Lahoz turned in to the Spanish federation.
By going into so much detail, Mateu Lahoz has ensured that Messi's tribute has now been officially recorded in Spanish football history.
AnweshTewari
429
"Match referee after the match.When I reached my back pocket to take out the yellow card my heart was painful. I think FIFA should make exceptions with this rule. When someone does it to support society like Black Lives Matter or paying tribute to a legend, the player should be forgiven. I was just doing my job. But I must admit I booked him with a heavy heart. Maradona was one of the greatest players ever and hopefully La Liga or FIFA will remove the yellow card." ~ Mateu Lahoz. I think it's (vMateu Lahoz's speech) also a tribute to Legend Diego.
PAPA_PEREZ
381
Only thing yesterday Madrid fans celebrated is Messi's Yellow card..
RoyAbhinandan
263
Guys ,we are dead😭. Cristiano will destroy our defence in Camp Noù. Just now👇😒
D10S_LM10
204
The referee who booked Lionel Messi after taking off his t-shirt to pay tribute to Diego Maradona: "When I reached my back pocket to take out the yellow card my heart was painful. I think FIFA should make exceptions with this rule. When someone does it to support society like Black Lives Matter or paying tribute to a legend, the player should be forgiven. I was just doing my job. But I must admit I booked him with a heavy heart. Maradona was one of the greatest players ever and hopefully La Liga or FIFA will remove the yellow card." ❤️🖤 ~ Mateu Lahoz