It seems that flipping the middle finger during medal ceremonies of the competitions under the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has become a custom for Lucas Saatkamp ’Lucão’.
Three years ago, the legendary Brazilian middle blocker, Lucão, made an obscene gesture during the award ceremony of the FIVB World Cup, which was quite scandalous back then, leading to the investigation of the governing body of world volleyball and imposing a fine—a three-game suspension on the player.
Now, the Rio Olympics winner has done it again after he and his teammates from the national team received bronze medals at the 2022 FIVB World Championship in Katowice, Poland, two days ago. Flipping the middle finger by the player was caught on the TV camera during the official broadcast. Lucão apologized on social media, posting that “the gesture I made, and that it wasn’t the first time, is an internal joke between us. But, I understand that it causes something and I’m here to apologize. Sorry to everyone who felt uncomfortable!“
As a repeat offender, Lucão may have, if judged by the FIVB, gotten a longer suspension this time.
