By Paul Nicholson
July 6 – An amateur game in the Maranhão region of north eastern Brazil turned violent last weekend resulting in the death of a player and the match referee. Reports are that 30-year-old Josenir dos Santos Abreu approached the referee, 20-year-old Otávio Jordão da Silva (pictured), arguing about a decision. When da Silva then red carded Abreu, he reportedly threw a punch at da Silva, who then took out a pocket knife he was carrying with him, and stabbed the player.
Abreu was rushed to hospital but died of his wounds en route to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the player’s friends and family attacked da Silva, reportedly tieing him up and stoning him to death. In a particularly gruesome act, they reportedly quartered his body and placed his head on a stake in the middle of the pitch.
So far one man has been arrested for the murder of da Silva, the authorities say they are searching for two more. Valter Costa, the chief of police in Maranhão’s town of Santa Ines, said: “Reports of witnesses have indicated some people that were in place at the time of the fact,” he said.
“We will identify and hold accountable all those involved. A crime will never justify another. Actions like this do not collaborate with the legality of a state law.”
A video, reportedly of the referee, has even been posted on www.liveleak.com.
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