It was in the match between Sao Paulo de Rio Grande and Guarani de Venancio Aires in the Brazilian second division in football that player William Ribeiro completely lost his temper.

Referee Rodrigo Crivellaro is said to have denied Ribeiro a free kick, to which the player responded by kicking down the referee.

And then, with full force, he aimed a kick at the referee's head as he lay on the grass.

The match was stopped and Crivellaro was taken to hospital and remained overnight before he could leave the hospital.

Ribeiro was arrested by police directly at the scene and is now suspected of attempted murder.

Sao Paulo de Rio Grande has announced that the club has terminated the player's contract with the club, the AP states.

The incident is described by the club as "one of the saddest events in the club's history".

The match will resume on Tuesday next week.