A referee was allegedly beheaded following a horrific series of incidents during an amateur football match in Maranhao, Brazil.
The official Otavio Jordao da Silva is said to have been set upon by spectators after he fatally stabbed a player named Josenir dos Santos Abreu, Eurosport reports.
Santos Abreu struck Da Silva after disagreeing with one of his decisions, prompting the official to attack him with a knife in retaliation, according to reports from Brazil.
The player is believed to have died from his injuries on the way to hospital.
Enraged by what they had witnessed, a group of supporters stormed the pitch and enacted gruesome revenge on Da Silva, tying him up and beating him.
Reports claim that the official was stoned and quartered before the perpetrators planted his severed head on a stake in the centre of the pitch.
One man, Luiz Moraes de Souza, has been arrested in connection with the incident, and two more suspects are being sought while video evidence captured on a mobile phone is being examined.
"One crime never justifies another crime. Actions likes this do not collaborate with the legality of state law," said regional delegate of Santa Ines, Valter Costa.
Suspect De Souza has admitted to assaulting the referee, but denies killing him.
Mark Langshaw
