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World Cup's Smoothest Ref Makes Hilarious Recovery From Snubbed Handshake (VIDEO)

WATCH: Here's How You Play Off A Snubbed Handshake At The World Cup
Ryan Grenoble
By 

National Reporter, HuffPost

The only thing more embarrassing than a snubbed handshake is a nationally televised snubbed handshake.

Exhibit A: Tom Brady's awkwardly unmet high-five, here:

So when World Cup referee Joe Fletcher was snubbed from a handshake with a FIFA official prior to Wednesday's game between Spain and Chile, he smoothly transitioned to the classic "hair-styling" deflection. Here's the thing, though: Fletcher's shaved head requires no styling of any sort. (Awkward.)

A nearby player, who the CBC identified as Spain's Iker Casillas, offered Fletcher a conciliatory back-pat and smile after the missed connection. AllSports.com, a Ghana sports website, identified the snubber as Tony Baffour, a celebrated Ghanaian soccer veteran and FIFA match commissioner.

Shortly after the snub, the official, apparently having realized his mistake, returned and shook hands with Fletcher, who responded with a broad smile. GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!

If at first you don't succeed in shaking the ref's hand, try, try again:

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Before You Go

Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Security personnel attempt to control Chilean fans outside the stadium prior to the kickoff of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Security personnel attempt to control Chilean fans breaking through a gate outside the stadium prior to the kickoff of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Security personnel attempt to control fans after breaking through security and attempting to enter the stadium prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Broken doors and planters are seen after fans broke through security entering the stadium prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Chile's fans, who managed to enter the stadium without tickets, knock over a parition in the press area, before the Group B football match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Chile's fans, who managed to enter the stadium without tickets, knock over a partition in the press area, before the Group B football match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Security personnel attempt to control fans after breaking through security and entering the stadium prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Chile's fans, who managed to enter the stadium without tickets, organize a sit-in in the press area before the Group B football match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA
Getty Images
Chile's fans, who managed to enter the stadium without tickets, organize a sit-in in the press area before the Group B football match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Security personnel attempt to control fans after breaking through security and entering the stadium prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Fans are escorted by security personnel after breaking through the gates and entering the stadium prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty Images
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 18: Security personnel attempt to control fans after breaking through security and attempting to enter the stadium prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Chile at Maracana on June 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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