An amateur football match in Brazil led to
two murders as a referee was beheaded by
spectators after he had stabbed a player.
The shocking incidents occurred in
Maranhao, Brazil, last Sunday. According to
reports, referee Otavio Jordao da Silva fatally
stabbed footballer Josenir dos Santos
Abreu.
Dos Santos Abreu is believed to have struck
the referee after questioning a decision. In
retaliation, Jordao da Silva fatally stabbed
the player.
Having witnessed the incident, an outraged
group of spectators turned on the referee.
He was tied up, beaten, stoned and
quartered. They then put his head on a
stake and planted it in the middle of the
pitch.
One man, Luiz Moraes de Souza, 27, has
been arrested over the incident. Police are
searching for two more suspects.
Valter Costa is handling the case and, in a
statement, he said: "One crime never
justifies another crime. Actions likes this do
not collaborate with the legality of state
law."