A Brazilian lower league footballer has been arrested following a sickening attack on a referee that left him unconscious.
Sao Paulo RS’s league encounter with Guarani was abandoned after William Ribeiro kicked match official Rodrigo Crivellaro while he was down on the floor.
The incident occurred shortly after the hour mark, with Ribeiro’s Sao Paulo team 1-0 down.
Shortly after conceding the opening goal, Ribeiro launched the violent attack, with video footage showing Guarani’s players quickly calling for medical assistance with Criverllaro unconscious on the floor.
Although footage doesn’t clearly show what caused Ribeiro’s attack, it came after the referee had awarded a free-kick against his side.
The referee was quickly placed into the back of an ambulance, where he was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital for further examinations.
Ribeiro meanwhile was quickly reprimanded by the military brigade, handcuffed by officers before leaving the stadium in the back of their vehicle.
According to reports in Brazil, Crivellaro has since regained consciousness with Sao Paulo RS releasing a statement offering their full support to the referee.
"The match is suspended. No championship is worth a life," Sao Paulo RS's Twitter account wrote.
"I reiterate our wish for improvement to referee Rodrigo Crivellaro. NOTHING, kids, NOTHING justifies aggression.
"We'll see what happens next, whether the match will be closed or rescheduled.
"The intern stays around here, sad, embarrassed and p***** off like all of you with this cowardice that happened today in Venancio Aires.
"We are rooting for the match referee's recovery."
Sao Paulo RS’ president has also confirmed that Ribeiro’s contract has been instantly terminated by the sixth-tier club.
"Unfortunate, regrettable and above all revolting," he said. "On the exact day when all the red-green family gathered to celebrate the 113th anniversary of Sao Paulo RS, our club faced one of the saddest episodes of its history, a fateful scene that shocked all people who love not only Gaucho football but all those who just love the sport in general.
"Rest assured, we are sorry and deeply ashamed.
“We send all the apologies in the world to the battered referee and his family as well as apologising to the public in general for the lamentable scene seen today.
"The contract of the offending athlete is terminated. Furthermore, all possible legal measures in relation to the incident will be taken."
