The volleyball-style block by Giorgio Chiellini to stop a rival's attack.

From the Real Salt Lake area, a long ball was played that turned into a pass. While the ball traveled through the air, forward Sergio Córdova made a run towards the space to control it and head towards the opposition's penalty area. However, the experienced defender, who previously played for Juventus, did his thing: he jumped and stopped the ball with his hands.

Immediately, the Venezuelan number 10 for Real Salt Lake protested the unsportsmanlike action committed by the opponent. At the same time, the referee accelerated to punish Chiellini. In fact, the referee reached for his pocket to show a card, but he only gave a yellow sanction.

The referee's decision was questioned by all the local players because they considered that the European deserved to be sent off for cutting off an attacking maneuver. Despite this, the match authority in the Major League Soccer ordered that everything continue with a free kick for the home team.

To avoid further controversy, the Italian World Cup player was substituted minutes after stopping the attack with his hands. Eddie Segura replaced the central defender. Los Angeles FC won 4-1 with goals from Cristian Arango (brace), Kellyn Acosta, and Gareth Bale. Sergio Córdova, the first one who desperately requested a red card for Chiellini, had scored the temporary 1-1 equalizer.

Indignation

On social media, MLS shared a video containing the Italian's controversial play. "No hands allowed, Chiellini," says the post, accompanied by an emoji expressing excessive laughter. Real Salt Lake responded to that post: "Oh, yes, we love it when they make handball jokes," said the MLS team, expressing their annoyance at downplaying an action that could have been punished more severely.

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