Corinthians fans boo Depay after 'worst penalty' in Libertadores
Memphis Depay was met a loud whistling concert from Corinthians fans in the Neo Quimica Arena in São Paulo after he missed a penalty in the 11th minute of injury time that eliminated the club from the quarter‑final of the Copa Libertadores against Argentine Estudiantes.
The penalty and the elimination
The 32‑year‑old Dutchman was awarded a penalty in the 11th minute of injury time after VAR intervention. He struck the ball from eleven metres over the goal, causing Corinthians to lose 0‑1 to Argentine Estudiantes. The first match had ended 1‑1.
Brazilian media labeled the miss as “the most terrible penalty in Corinthians’ history”. Fans painted the stadium with slogans such as “A salary of millions, but playing like a pauper” and “Away with Memphi$”. The whistling concert from the supporters was described by the press as a scathing protest.
Depay, who earlier that evening had shown his middle finger to the supporters, left the pitch with his head bowed and without comment. He headed for the dressing room while the crowd continued to express his anger. The situation escalated into loud cheering and buzzing from the stands.
Aftermath and controversy
Last month Depay released a music video for the song “Don’t Panic”, which featured footage of the burning Parque São Jorge, the historic headquarters of Corinthians. The lyrics of the song refer to difficult negotiations over his contract extension, which was ultimately signed until 2028. The all‑time top scorer of the Netherlands declared that the clip contained no hidden message, but was purely art.
Corinthians is in a financial crisis and reportedly pays the Dutchman €6.8 million annually. Sportingly the club has lost its last six matches in the Brazilian Série A. The most recent victory came on August 9 against Bragantino.
After the match the anger among the supporters remained unabated. The stadium was flooded with insults and the fans continued to mock and boo Depay. The incidents underline the strained relationship between the player and the fans.
The combination of sporting setbacks and financial problems has further poisoned the atmosphere around Corinthians. Many supporters wonder how long the club can continue to afford the high salaries while the results keep falling.