Emerson Leao Leads Fight Against Touchline Reporters During Soccer Match [Video]

Brazilian coach Emerson Leao has always been known as a fiery guy.  And with all the tributes being paid to Lou Piniella and his anti-umpire antics, we’ve never seen anything like this from Sweet Lou.

First we have to mention the unique Brazilian soccer phenomenon known as touchline reporters.  They wear bright orange vests and carry around microphones and cameras in the hopes of catching the best on-field action possible.  They are much like NFL sideline reporters, but with way more access.  They interview players as soon as they are sent off and they frequently run onto the field when there is any kind of drama.

When Leao ran onto the field to protest a referee’s call, touchline reporters followed, trying to capture the argument on film.  Leao protested by getting into a fight with the reporters after one reporter bumped into him.  Pretty soon the whole team was on the field and Leao was more concerned with screaming at reporters than keeping his team under control.   

Later in the video (around 1:10) we see one of the reporters push what appears to be one of the team’s trainers.  Bad move.  A player gets his revenge by running full speed and  jacking the reporter in the jaw.  Hard.

Huffington Post