FOOTBALL stars threw punches and kicks at each other on the pitch in a shocking mass brawl.
Players went out of control as the shameful clashes led to the game between Guanacasteca and Liberia in Costa Rica being suspended.
Liberia led the match 2-1 after just 26 minutes when the incident suddenly exploded.
As seen in a video on social media, one player could be seen flying in knee-first at the helpless Liberia keeper.
A number of other punches and kicks were thrown before security were forced to get involved to stop the fight.
The football game was suspended while the two teams decided what to do with the rest of the match.
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Eventually, Guanacasteca press officer Cesar Blanco confirmed it would resume once everyone had calmed down.
The two Costa Rican teams then resumed from the second half.
But not after they had both made substitutions to ensure the brawl did not reignite.
Speaking about the unacceptable incident, Guanacasteca manager Yosimar Arias said: “It’s a bit embarrassing, it’s a player issue.
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“When they are friendly, it is not the first time that has happened.”
Liberian midfielder Diego Madrigal then added: “This is a stain on national football, this cannot even happen on open courts.”
The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, but the headline was still the jaw-dropping scrap.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
