In the closing stages of the match between Coritiba and Chapecoense at the Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, Brazil, defender Jacy Maranhao leapt over the advertising boards to celebrate a goal, only to plummet into a maintenance tunnel beneath the pitch.
The impact left him with an ankle injury, prompting his substitution shortly after halftime, and the goal he had just scored was later nullified after a VAR review, though Coritiba still emerged with a 2‑1 victory.
Maranhao, who operates as a centre‑back, later described the episode as a “rare experience,” noting that he twisted his foot while attempting the celebratory jump.
The incident is not unprecedented; a similar accident involving Cameroonian striker Joel occurred at the same venue in 2014, when he also fell into the tunnel during a match against São Paulo.
Legacy of a hazardous celebration
The Couto Pereira Stadium has long been praised for its atmosphere, but the recurring tunnel hazard underscores the need for clubs to reassess the design of celebratory zones, especially in venues where players frequently engage in exuberant goal celebrations.
Club officials and league authorities are expected to review the incident, with potential measures ranging from barrier modifications to stricter regulations on player conduct during goal celebrations.