Referee pull out a gun and handcuffs in amateur game in Brazil

A referee caused fear and amusement in equal measure when he pulled out a gun on a player

Camilo Eustáquio de Souza, a police officer, was officiating an amateur game in Brazil

Souza pulled out a gun on player Marcos Lopes Vieira who hit him after protesting

An amateur game in Brazil almost turned into an ugly affair when a referee pulled out a gun and brought handcuffs onto the pitch after claiming a player had punched him in the face.

A video which has started appearing online shows Camilo Eustáquio de Souza, who is also a police officer, fetch a weapon from a dugout but a linesman blocked the official and persuaded him not to take the matter further.

Souza was reacting to an attack by player Marcos Lopes Vieira who plays for Industrial from Itaú de Minas.

The player's team was penalised against Passos side Oriente in the Amador Regional Championships of the Passense League but he was not happy with the decision.

Vieira, meanwhile, had to jump over the Starling Soares Stadium fence in Passos to hide in a dressing room for safety.

De Souza insisted his behaviour was perfectly acceptable, even though he faces a two-year ban after being reported for abusing his power.


He said: "My actions were not an exaggeration - the exaggeration was down to the behaviour of the player.

"I was in charge of the game and to bring things under control I made the decision to act in my capacity as a police officer and arrest a citizen who assaulted me

But the video footage shows players looking shocked as they stand well clear when de Souza returns to collect his stuff from the bench, seconds after the incredible incident.

The League's president José Vítor dos Santos has confirmed De Souza could be suspended for his his actions.