A Brazilian footballer experienced a frightening fall into an open tunnel while celebrating a goal, only for the score to be disallowed shortly after. The incident occurred during a match between Coritiba and Chapecoense in Brazil's top flight.
Coritiba defender Jacy, 29, believed he had scored to give his team a 2-0 lead in the first half. In his exuberance, he jumped over the advertising hoardings to celebrate, unaware that a tunnel leading to the dressing rooms had been left uncovered. He then fell directly into the hole.
A security guard was seen sprinting down the stairs of the tunnel to assist Jacy, while anxious teammates peered over the hoardings to check on his condition. The defender, appearing uninjured at first, received treatment from Coritiba's medical staff.
However, the situation took a turn for the worse for Jacy when a VAR review determined his earlier play was offside, nullifying the goal. He was able to continue the match briefly but was substituted early in the second half due to the lingering effects of the fall.
This was not the first time a player has fallen through an open tunnel at the Couto Pereira stadium. In 2014, Coritiba striker Joel fell into the same tunnel while celebrating a goal. Coincidentally, the same security guard who assisted Joel was also on hand to help Jacy.
Coritiba ultimately won the match 2-1. The game also saw a separate, more serious medical incident where Chapecoense midfielder Max Alves was taken to intensive care after colliding with a teammate. Alves underwent surgery for multiple rib fractures.