A Brazilian soccer player has been charged with attempted murder after kicking a referee in the head

• A Brazilian soccer player has been charged with attempted murder after kicking a referee in the head.
• William Ribeiro shoved Rodrigo Crivellaro to the ground and kicked him after having a free-kick awarded against him.
• The player's club has terminated his contract and described the incident as "revolting."

A Brazilian soccer player has been charged with attempted murder after pushing over a referee and kicking him in the head, according to The Independent.

Sao Paulo de Rio Grande's William Ribeiro shoved referee Rodrigo Crivellaro to the ground and took a running kick at his skull after the official had awarded a free-kick against him early in the second half of a match against Guarani de Venancio Aires on Monday.

Crivellaro was knocked unconscious and the match was abandoned as police and medical professionals stormed the pitch.

Ribeiro was arrested at the stadium and taken to a local police station, where Brazilian news outlet UOL reports that he was booked on an attempted murder charge without bail.

"His attack was very strong and violent, kicking the referee in the head and making him pass out," said police investigator Vinicius Assuncao. "The referee had no chance of defending himself."

Crivellaro was kept in the local hospital overnight before being discharged Tuesday morning.

Watch the incident below but note that the video contains scenes some readers may find upsetting.

Sao Paulo RS has terminated Ribeiro's contract. Club president Deivid Goulart Pereira offered his apologies and best wishes to Crivellaro, describing the incident as "revolting."

"On the exact day when all the red-green family gathered to celebrate the 113th anniversary of Sao Paulo RS, our club faced one of the saddest episodes of its history, a fateful scene that shocked all people who love not only Gaucho football but all those who just love the sport in general," Goulart Pereira said in a statement.

"Rest assured, we are sorry and deeply ashamed. We send all the apologies in the world to the injured referee and his family as well as apologizing to the public in general for the lamentable scene seen today.

"The contract of the offending player is terminated. Furthermore, all possible legal measures in relation to the incident will be taken."

The match was completed on Tuesday, with Guarani winning 1-0.