Brazilian soccer is famous for its fan pageantry, parade of skillful players and, above all, passion. But sometimes that passion boils over, as it did on Wednesday.
A player was sent off — and arrested by police — after he attacked a referee on the field.
The crime took place during a game between Iranduba and Sao Raimundo-AM in the Amazonas state championship.
Iranduba winger Derlan was given a yellow card by the referee, Joao Batista Cunha Brito. He was then spotted by the fourth official making gestures that suggested the referee was somehow… corrupt.
When the fourth official informed Brito what happened, he moved to give Derlan a second yellow card (followed by the red). When that happened, Derlan exploded on him with a barrage of furious blows.
Players, officials and finally the police had to intervene, and Derlan was taken away by authorities.
See Derlan assault and batter the referee in the video below.
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