Footballer charged with attempted murder for violent attack on referee during game

A football player in Brazil has been charged with attempted murder for attacking the referee during a game.

William Ribeiro of Sport Club São Paulo was charged after being filmed slide tackling the official and then, while the victim lies prone on the ground, swinging his leg towards the referee's head (watch the video above).

The incident happened after Ribeiro was fouled. The referee was taken to hospital in an ambulance but is reportedly in a good condition following the attack.

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The incident happened 14 minutes into the second half and the game was halted while the referee was taken to hospital, and resumed the following day.

Ribeiro was subsequently sacked in what the club labelled "one of the saddest (days) in (their) history".