Fans kill and behead Brazilian referee who stabbed player to death

Police in northern Brazil say soccer fans stoned and decapitated a referee on the field after the referee fatally stabbed a player.

The incident reportedly took place on June 30 in the Brazilian town of Pio XII.

According to The Guardian, the confrontation started with an argument between soccer referee Octavio da Silva and player Josenir dos Santos.

Santos reportedly refused to leave the field after being expelled and police say da Silva pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

The 30-year-old player died on the way to the hospital.

A statement from the Public Safety Department of the state of Maranhao said that enraged fans "rushed into the field, stoned the referee to death and quartered his body."

Local news media reports that spectators also decapitated Silva and stuck his head on a stake in the middle of the field, reports The Associated Press.

Police spokesman Valter Costa said, "we will identify and hold accountable all those involved in this incident. One crime will never justify another. Actions like this do not correspond with state law," reports the Guardian.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in the incident.

Brazil is facing scrutiny over security concerns ahead of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

In April, two soccer fans were shot and killed near the World Cup stadium in Fortaleza.