Last Monday (17/06), Atlético Mineiro hosted the mighty Palmeiras of Abel Ferreira, the current Brasileirão champions and contenders for this season’s title.
In this match, Palmeiras quickly took the lead with a goal from Aníbal Moreno in the 25th minute. However, just six minutes later, Hulk became involved in a controversial incident that affected the game. After protesting to the referee while already on a yellow card, the referee Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima sent him off, once again stirring controversy in Brazil over the influence of referees and their decisions on the game.
Hulk leva dois cartões amarelos e está fora da partida contra o Palmeiras! pic.twitter.com/6azTnn4DGu
— ge (@geglobo) June 18, 2024
Hulk, an expert in the field
For many, this decision was correct. For others, it was yet another example of referees’ favoritism toward one team or another, an opinion that John Textor, owner of Botafogo, reiterated publicly after the controversial sending-off.
However, a recent investigation revealed that these kinds of behaviors from Hulk have been a constant since his return to Brazil. Following the expulsion and the ensuing controversy, the Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte conducted an investigation focused on Hulk and his interactions with referees. They concluded that since 2021, the Brazilian striker has been the player with the most bookings for dissent.
Hulk é o jogador com mais cartões por reclamação desde o retorno ao futebol brasileiro; veja a lista https://t.co/8T6U7odP42
— ge Atlético-MG (@ge_galo) June 18, 2024
In the last four years, Hulk only received less than 4 yellow cards for complaining to referees in his first year at Atlético Mineiro.
- In 2021, there were two warnings for complaints in 68 games;
- In 2022, Hulk saw five warnings in 46 games played;
- In 2023, his worst year in this sense, he received a total of 12 warnings in 59 games, averaging one every 4.2 games;
- In 2024, he has already received four warnings for complaints to referees.
Globo Esporte has also used this research to make a ranking of the footballers who have received the most warnings for this reason, with Hulk at the top of a list in which Gabigol and Viña, current Al-Hazem footballer, also appear. All this, using data from Statistical Spy .
Players most cautioned for complaints to the referee since 2021
- Hulk – Atlético Mineiro: 26 warnings
- Gabriel – Flamengo: 20 warnings
- Viña – Ceará and Grêmio: 18 warnings
- Luciano – São Paulo: 15 warnings
- Mercado – Internacional: 14 warnings
