DTotD: Spanish referee learns the perils of running backwards

The first leg of the Copa del Rey round of 16 tie between Valencia and cup holders Atletico Madrid ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to an injury-time equalizer from Valencia's Helder Postiga. But the night's most important life lesson came in the form of a mistake by the referee.

With the score still 0-0 in the first half, Atletico's Josuha Guilavogui knelt down to tie his shoe. What he couldn't see was that behind him, the referee was having a conversation while jogging backwards and headed right for him. And just as the ref gave a thumbs up, he tumbled over Guilavogui.

Always watch where you're going...and never give a thumbs up while running backwards. You're tempting fate and fate has a sense of humor.

This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events.

Video via 101gg

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Brooks Peck

is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter!

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