In Brazil, a fan of Sao Paulo threw a knife onto the pitch in horrifying scenes on Saturday night.
Sao Paulo’s Under-20 team faced Palmeiras in the semifinal of the Sao Paulo Junior Football Cup.
According to the Sun, the referee was seen holding the deadly weapon just moments later.
Video footage from social media captures the thrilling moment during second-half delay time, when Sao Paulo was 1-0 down and fans invaded to confront Palmeiras’ players.
Numerous stars tried to force the first fan to leave, but Sao Paulo players bravely intervened and deescalate.
In Brazil, crazed Sao Paulo fanatics threw a knife at the pitch to create disturbing and shocking scenes
Moments after Sao Paulo supporters invaded the field, the referee (pictured) was seen with the deadly weapon.
The supporter from another section of the crowd races to the pitch and Sao Paulo’s 9 waved and pulled him away. He begged him not stop, as missiles including stadium seats, fell on the pitch.
Police initially believed that one of the supporters who ran onto the pitch had brought the knife, but video evidence shows the object was actually thrown on. Ian, a Palmeiras left back, found the knife in his possession and gave it to authorities.
DRADE (Police Station for Repression of the Crimes of Sports Intolerance) officer Cesar Saad said: ‘In stoppage time, two fans invaded the pitch, one of them went up and physically attacked a Palmeiras athlete, and the second fan was contained by the São Paulo players themselves.
Video footage from social media shows the fans entering the pitch to confront Palmeiras players
“At the exact same time, several objects were thrown onto the field. The knife, along with other objects, was discovered by us after much research and listening to the athletes. At first, we believed that one fan would try to infiltrate a Palmeiras player using this knife.
“It’s obvious that the Civil Police must investigate how the knife got into the stadium. Who did it? How was it done? Which gate did it enter. The police will investigate everything. The knife looks to be inside a lunchbox. When it’s thrown it opens, the knife leaps out.
“This image was presented to the Palmeiras players, and to the Palmeiras soccer director. Everyone could see that those who invaded the pitch were not carrying this knife.