Watch: Ref pulls out gun during football match

This is the moment when a football referee reacts to an assault by a player by getting a gun out during a Brazilian amateur match that turned ugly.

Gabriel Murta is facing disciplinary action after going to the changing rooms to get the weapon and racing back onto the pitch waving it around.

Mr Murta, reportedly a police officer by day, had to be restrained by one of his linesmen as he walked towards the offending players with the handgun.

The shocking incident happened at the weekend during a regional league match in Brumadinho near Belo Horizonte, Brazil's sixth largest city and the capital of the state of Minais Gerais.

Amateur side Brumadinho was playing against Amantes da Bola - which literally translates as 'Lovers Of The Ball.'

League president Valdenir de Castro claimed Murta was kicked and slapped after Amantes da Bola subs and the manager invaded the pitch to demand a red card for a rival team player.

Referees' association boss Giuliano Bozzano said the official felt threatened and went to look for the weapon to defend himself.

He was due to undergo a psychological assessment later today and could face suspension or a permanent ban.

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