TWO footballers were left rolling on the floor in agony after a horror tackle took both of them out at the same time.
Footage from a Honduran top-flight game between Marathon and Olimpia went viral following a two-footed lunge that left two opponents injured.
Late in the clash, Marathon star André Orellana lunged into a high two-footed tackle to try and win a loose ball.
Instead, the 21-year-old’s momentum saw him clatter into Olimpia stars Carlos Pineda and German Mejia with his studs raised.
Both of the away side’s players were left down in a heap on the floor as a result of the shocking challenge.
The challenge left the referee with no choice but to show Orellana a red card for the undeniably dangerous play.
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League leaders Olimpia went on to win the game 1-0, having scored just minutes before the shocking incident.
Commentators on Deportes TVC’s broadcast of the game were left speechless by the challenge before they criticised the excessive force used after seeing a replay.
Orellana was apologetic about his actions after the match.
He told newspaper DIEZ: “The truth is I was wrong and I apologise to everyone, you are human and you learn from mistakes.
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“I think it was a play where the momentum and courage for the game overcame me, it is not correct at all.
“Germán Mejía told me that nothing was happening, that he loves me and that I was part of the game, that I should not lose my DNA and that I should continue working, that I have a lot to continue growing.
“This is part of football, all that remains for me is to correct and know how to control each impulse. I have to know how to have a balance. I tell you that this will not happen again.”
Fans were left disgusted at the tackle as well, with one fan reacting online: “That’s not for a red card, that’s for a couple of life sentences.”
A second said: “Three months minimum suspension!”
A third joked: “Karate?”
“Bro deserves two red cards,” wrote a fourth.
Another added: “Expulsion from world football! what a moron.”
However, some fans believed the key detail of Orellana winning the ball first was overlooked, meaning he should not have been sent off.
One fan argued: “Minimal contact, however slightly out of control. Just a warning from the referee will do.”
A second said: “It’s not even missing. Very clear ball.”
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Orellana actually shared a dressing room with both Pineda and Mejia last season.
In fact, he may share a dressing room with the pair of them next season considering he is only on loan at Marathon FROM Olimpia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
