A grassroots referee in Argentina has been arrested after pulling out a knife and stabbing a player when a brawl broke out on the pitch.
The shocking incident occurred in a province of Misiones where a local match was being played and overseen by 62-year-old amateur referee Remigio Armoa.
Things took a devastating turn when player surrounded the referee and he in turn brandished a knife before striking one of the ensuing crowd with the blade.
Phone footage showed players chasing and circling the referee in the build-up to the incident that occurred when the match official decided to plunge his knife into the player’s chest.
Video footage filmed by spectators stood on the sideline show the player falling to the ground before being picked up by team-mates and hurriedly escorted off the turf.
The individual who has been named only as Kevin A by local media was rushed to hospital with a punctured lung but fortunately not fatefully wounded.
The 21-year-old was later pictured recovering in a hospital bed while scrolling through his phone.
Meanwhile, the referee jogged away from the act before later being arrested by local police who also recovered the knife.
The player’s uncle, who has not been named, told local media: ‘Kevin is miraculously alive.
‘For the family, it is a very delicate moment because he is the Messi of the family.
‘He is a boy well gifted for football, thank God he had the opportunity to be in a club like Chacarita.’
Images have since been released showing Armoa in handcuffs while stood head down facing the corner of a wall.
The investigation is currently ongoing.
