Good deeds may get punished

Something happened in the world of football that happens once in a blue moon.
No, a big name player didn't choose loyalty to his club over a big money contract elsewhere! Nor did Thierry Henry receive honorary Irish citizenship...the rare occurrence was actually an act of fair play. I know, shocking! Something, sadly, so rare that it has sent the footballing authorities in Italy scrambling to see if it was legal!

Here's what happened:
The match was Ascoli vs. Reggina, a league game in Italy's Serie B. Early on in the game, a Reggina defender, Carlos Valdez, seeking a pause in play as he'd been injured, attempted to kick the ball out of play. Ascoli's Vincenzo Sommese, intercepted the touchline bound ball, drove towards the goal as the Reggina players protested (Barthez-Di Canio anyone?), and squared the ball for Mirko Antenucci to slot home and give Ascoli the lead.

Either Sommese thought the static defense was just an unconventional attempt at stopping him from scoring, or he was very aware of what was going on, but seeing as Ascoli are in the relegation zone of Italy's lower division, he thought "why not?!"

Regardless, the goal stood, and this didn't sit well with Reggina who surrounded Sommese. In fact one of the Reggina players even got sent off for pushing him to the ground.

Next came the bizarre moment. In a good way! The Ascoli players stood aside and allowed Reggina's Biagio Pagano to jog towards their goal and score the easiest goal he'll ever score. Although he did try to make it hard for himself by briefly tangling with one of Ascoli's players.

No really...it happened!

Interestingly enough, 10 man Reggina went on to "come back" and beat Ascoli 3-1. So much for no good deed going unpunished!

And to make matters worse, not only were the Ascoli players bombarded by protests from their own fans, but there is now an investigation into the legality of the gifted goal! Talk about ludicrous! First the FIFA - Henry situation, now this!

Maybe someone should show the footage to Reading? Then again, I doubt they want to get punished either!

Ascoli's manager, Bepi Pillon (who, funnily enough, managed Reggina last season) put it best:
"There is too much exasperation in Italy, too many interests that force you to look only at the results. It’s not fun like this."

Too right! And if you can't have fun in Italy's second division, where can you?