Back in 2019, Kaka, the Brazilian legend, was involved in a hilarious incident with an Israeli female referee that is making throwback rounds on social media recently.
During an exhibition match between Brazil and Israel. The match referee, Lilach Asulin stopped Kaka in his stride and astonishingly showed him a yellow card without any clear reason. To everyone’s surprise, she then took out her phone and snapped a selfie with Kaka while the game was still ongoing.
Lilach Asulin, a relatively unknown referee from Israel, was appointed for this high-profile match, raising questions about the selection process. It remains unclear why she was chosen for such an important game. Some speculate that her nationality might have played a role, considering the match was played for peace in Israel, promoting coexistence.
When you are a big fan of Kaka and you have no option to take selfie with him. 😀 pic.twitter.com/O2gdR8okjj
— Riaz Afridi (@RiazAfr84847039) November 1, 2019
According to available data, Asulin had only refereed eight matches for FIFA and UEFA tournaments. Her relative inexperience in such a significant game is noteworthy.
Despite the peculiar nature of the incident and the potential controversy surrounding Asulin’s appointment, it is unclear if she faced any consequences for her actions. No reports have confirmed any disciplinary measures taken against her as a result of the selfie incident.
Kaka’s teammates were amused by the whole affair, and after the game, they warmly shook hands with the Israeli referee. In contrast, the AC Milan legend himself seemed taken aback when stopped by the referee, but couldn’t help but smile when she took her phone out.
Kaka conveyed to reporters after the game, “The goal is to spread the values of soccer, knowing its potential to unite peoples and even neutralize situations of conflict.”
The Shalom Game
The light-hearted atmosphere that followed the incident reflected the goodwill and camaraderie of the charity match titled ‘The Shalom Game,’ played for peace in Israel, which attracted nearly 28,000 fans in Haifa. Brazil eventually emerged victorious with a 4-2 score against Israel in this memorable match.
A star-studded lineup of Brazilian legends, included Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Cafu & Emerson. Among these players were World Cup champions and recipients of various prestigious accolades. The Israeli team also boasted renowned stars like Arik Benado and Yaniv Katan, adding further excitement to the match.
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Before the game, the Brazil Legends engaged in philanthropic activities, visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem and spending time with children at the Rambam Hospital in Haifa. Their commitment to giving back to the community showcased their dedication to more than just the sport.
Mauro Rozenszajn, CEO of the Israeli company MTR7 organizing the event, expressed his enthusiasm about bringing such influential figures to Israel. He emphasized that this gathering solidified Israel’s place on the global map.
Brazil has a remarkable soccer history. They have won the World Cup five times and maintain a consistent presence in every Cup competition. The ties between Brazil and Israel are strong, with approximately 15,000 Brazilians residing in Israel. Moreover, an average of 700 members of Brazil’s Jewish community, totaling around 120,000, relocate to Israel each year.
