Referee halts match to spray Alex De Souza's name onto pitch

The official used vanishing spray to spell out the name of the former Brazil international.

It is rare to see a referee grab the headlines for something amusing and innovative, let alone touching.

But that's exactly what has happened after the referee in Alex De Souza's Palmeiras testimonial used his vanishing spray for creative purposes.

The spray, normally used for keeping order and ensuring that free-kicks are taken in an appropriate manner, was in this case responsible for the name 'Alex' being written across the pitch.

De Souza, a former Brazil international, called upon a host of his footballing friends to join him for his farewell fixture - and clearly the referee was touched to have been selected himself as he made the gesture.

The official, after awarding a free-kick, bent down to spray the player's name onto the turf, to the delight of the crowd and other players.
The 37-year-old De Souza enjoyed the gesture too, smiling broadly as the referee marked his 19 years in the professional game with the crowd-pleasing move.
De Souza played 48 games for Brazil and scored a staggering 136 goals in 245 games as an attacking midfielder for Fenerbahce after having played for Parma in Serie A.

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