📺
Player kicks snake off pitch in Brazilian match between Linense and Água Santa
CRUEL: Kick (Image: Timão do povo)

VIDEO: Player kicks snake off the pitch in Brazilian match

Likely to face punishment if other recent cases are anything to go by.

Watch the moment one player kicks a snake off the pitch during Linense’s 4-0 win over Água Santa in Brazil’s Campeonato Paulista Série A1.

It’s a move that’s likely to anger animal rights groups, and the player responsible for kicking the snake is likely to face action if other recent cases are anything to go by.

In 2013, Enzo Jimenez of Uruguayan side Bella Vista was sent off and subequently fired by his club for throwing a dog off the pitch:

And in 2011, Luis Moreno of Colombian side Pereira kicked away an owl that had been struck by the ball, landing him a a two-match ban, a $560 fine, veterinary costs and community service at a zoo:

The owl, who happened to be the good luck mascot of Pereira’s opponents Junior Barranquilla, later died from injuries incurred during the incident.

Animal pitch invaders is a common occurrence in South America – see also the giant grasshopper that landed on Colombia’s James Rodríguez during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and this flock of lapwings that interrupted a match in Sao Paolo:

Brazilian football match delayed by pitch-invading birds – video https://t.co/A0cxkXJB8s pic.twitter.com/PPAFG69Xrq

— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) November 12, 2015