Kerlon's `seal dribble' sparks outcry in Brazil

Ingenious or incendiary, promising or provocative, the "seal dribble" is stirring up controversy in Brazil. Cruzeiro playmaker Kerlon, the midfielder at the center of the debate, confounds and irritates opponents by repeatedly bouncing the ball off his head to run past defenders.With the ball out of reach, opposing players find it hard to stop Kerlon, 19, without fouling him. Some players say the move breaks unwritten soccer ethics, and they argue that Kerlon uses the move to show off, not to try to score goals.

"It is a provocation. He may have to be sidelined for several years if he gets kicked in the face," said former Brazil goalkeeper and current Atletico Mineiro coach Emerson Leao.

Kerlon's latest balancing act caused a nationally televised brawl as Cruzeiro beat rival Atletico Mineiro 4-3 in the Brazilian league Sunday. Shortly after Cruzeiro took the lead for good, Kerlon performed the move. Then Atletico defender Coelho leveled him with a hard tackle. Atletico players charged Kerlon, screaming at him and accusing him of provoking them with the dribble. Kerlon's teammates came to his rescue, and the scuffle lasted several minutes.

Kerlon is undeterred by the critics.

"It's my move," he said. "It's not the first time I do it and it won't be the last. ... They'll need to create a new law if they want me to stop."