The Strange Soccer Story Collection

Player gets arrested after game for on-pitch theft!
Submitted By: Pedro Reyes

It was 1991 and the derby between Uruguay's two biggest teams was taking place: Penarol-Nacional. The incident involved Panamean international Dely Valdez (now in PSG, France) and Penarol defender Goncalves. Valdez was Nacional's striker and he was known for wearing gold chains and other jewelry on the pitch. Both players were struggling as a corner kick was about to take place for Nacional, Goncalves ripped off one of Valdez's gold-chains and hid it in his sock. Nobody in the stadium saw it but the TV cameras caught the moment, and after the game Valdez and the police were waiting for Goncalvez outside the dressing rooms. Goncalvez was arrested but the charges were later dropped as he had returned the chain.

Why did he do it? Goncalvez reply is clear and simple:
"I don't know what I was thinking"

This derby became known simply as the "golden-chain derby"


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