The Sao Paulo derby between Corinthians and Palmeiras was remarkably interrupted by a pig's head being thrown onto the pitch on Monday night.
The incident took place during the first half when Palmeiras lined up to take a corner, only for Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto to notice the pig's head on the touchline.
A disgusted Alberto ran over to kick the head out of play before a woman took it away to place it behind an advertising hoarding.
South American correspondent Tim Vickery gave his take on the extraordinary moment as he wrote on X: 'A new one on me - the big traditional Sao Paulo derby, Corinthians v Palmeiras and someone has thrown a pig's head on the field (the symbol of Palmeiras is a pig)'.
Palmeiras was given the nickname 'pigs' by Corinthians fans in 1976 when Corinthians President Wadih Helu called his opposite number a pig after he refused to suspend a game between the two clubs following the death of two Corinthians players.
Palmeiras fans responded by adopting the pig as their mascot in 1986.
ESPN Brazil reported that two fans were arrested but were released due to a lack of evidence. An investigation remains ongoing as to how the pig's head got into the stadium.
Corinthians went on to win the match 2-0, and Alberto revealed afterward that he almost injured himself by kicking the pig's head.
'I almost broke my foot. I thought it was something else, a cushion, but it was a pig’s head, I almost hurt myself,' he told Globo Esporte.
The shocking incident evoked memories of Luis Figo being targeted by a pig's head during El Clasico in November 2002.
Figo had left Barcelona to join Real Madrid two years earlier in a move that left fans of the Catalan club furious.
The Portuguese star was jeered throughout the 2002 clash and had a pig's head thrown at him when he went to take a corner.
The match was subsequently suspended before resuming 16 minutes later.
The incident took place during the first half when Palmeiras lined up to take a corner, only for Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto to notice the pig's head on the touchline.
A disgusted Alberto ran over to kick the head out of play before a woman took it away to place it behind an advertising hoarding.
South American correspondent Tim Vickery gave his take on the extraordinary moment as he wrote on X: 'A new one on me - the big traditional Sao Paulo derby, Corinthians v Palmeiras and someone has thrown a pig's head on the field (the symbol of Palmeiras is a pig)'.
Palmeiras was given the nickname 'pigs' by Corinthians fans in 1976 when Corinthians President Wadih Helu called his opposite number a pig after he refused to suspend a game between the two clubs following the death of two Corinthians players.
Palmeiras fans responded by adopting the pig as their mascot in 1986.
ESPN Brazil reported that two fans were arrested but were released due to a lack of evidence. An investigation remains ongoing as to how the pig's head got into the stadium.
Corinthians went on to win the match 2-0, and Alberto revealed afterward that he almost injured himself by kicking the pig's head.
'I almost broke my foot. I thought it was something else, a cushion, but it was a pig’s head, I almost hurt myself,' he told Globo Esporte.
The shocking incident evoked memories of Luis Figo being targeted by a pig's head during El Clasico in November 2002.
Figo had left Barcelona to join Real Madrid two years earlier in a move that left fans of the Catalan club furious.
The Portuguese star was jeered throughout the 2002 clash and had a pig's head thrown at him when he went to take a corner.
The match was subsequently suspended before resuming 16 minutes later.
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