Marco Verratti was shown a yellow card after referee used rare rule in football

Marco Verratti was once shown a yellow card after one of the rarest rules in football was implemented by the referee.

Typically yellow cards are shown for foul play, dissent or excessive celebration amongst other offences. But Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Verratti was cautioned in utterly bizarre fashion back in 2017 against Nantes.

PSG won 2-0 away from home courtesy of a brace from Edinson Cavani but the biggest talking point came in the first half when the Paris outfit were leading by a goal.

Verratti received the ball from goalkeeper Kevin Trapp with plenty of time and little pressure and he elected to move back to the 18-yard box.

Then, the Italian proceeded to get down on his hands and knees and head the ball back to his goalkeeper with a move one might recognise from FIFA Street.

But then referee Johan Hamel halted play and booked a bewildered Verratti, while also giving Nantes an indirect free-kick.

There was mass confusion but the man in the middle had actually done the right thing in booking the former Pescara man as it was deemed to be a "deliberate trick" according to the official rules of the game.

When Ivan Perisic was playing for Inter Milan, he also suffered the same fate against Roma just a month after Verratti, having done two kick-ups before heading the ball back to Samir Handanovic.

The rules state: "No trickery may be used to get around the terms of the amendment to Law 12. A player may pass the ball to his own goalkeeper using his head, chest, knee, etc.

"However, if, in the opinion of the referee, the player uses a deliberate trick - such as flicking the ball to his head with his foot and heading it to the goalkeeper or kneeling and deliberately pushing the ball to the goalkeeper with his head or knee - he must be cautioned for ungentlemanly conduct.

"It makes no difference whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with his hands; the offense is committed by the player who is seeking to circumvent both the Spirit and Letter of the Law."

Make sure you take the rule into account during your Sunday League exploits.

Featured Image Credit: Ligue One

Topics: Marco Verratti, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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