Animal Head Thrown Onto Pitch During Brazilian Derby

A pig’s head was launched onto the playing field during a Brazilian championship match between Sao Paulo rivals Corinthians and Palmeiras. The event unfolded in the first half as Palmeiras was setting up for a corner kick. Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto sprinted from the penalty box to clear the object from the pitch, after which play resumed. Alberto later scored a goal, contributing to Corinthians’ 2-0 victory in the game. “I almost broke my foot, I thought it was a cushion, I went to take it off with my foot, I kind of kicked it. It was a pig’s head, I almost hurt my foot,” Alberto told O Globo’s SporTV. South American football correspondent Tim Vickery remarked on X, stating, “A new one on me – the big traditional Sao Paulo derby, Corinthians v Palmeiras and someone has thrown a pig’s head on the the field (the symbol of Palmeiras is a pig).” This incident recalled a similar occurrence in 2002 at the Nou Camp, when Barcelona fans threw a pig’s head onto the pitch as their former midfielder Luis Figo returned playing for arch-rivals Real Madrid. Globo and ESPN Brazil reported that police are conducting an investigation, and two fans were apprehended following the incident, though they were subsequently released. Palmeiras supporters adopted the pig as their mascot in 1986. During a match against Santos, they heard opposing fans chanting “pig” and responded by shouting “And go for it Pig! Ole Ole Ole”. Days later, the sports magazine Placar published an image of Palmeiras player Jorginho Putinatti holding a pig.