Referee brandishes gun on pitch during lower-league football match in Brazil

The official faces disciplinary action following the crazy incident

Referee Gabriel Murta pulls a gun during a match (YOUTUBE)

Referees are usually armed with just a whistle and their cards, but one official took things up a notch by wielding a gun during a lower league match in Brazil.

Gabriel Murta brandished the firearm after reportedly becoming incensed at his treatment by some of the players in a match between Brumadinho and Amantes de Bolas. The crazy scenes were caught on camera by a spectator during the regional league game.

According to reports, Murta was kicked and slapped by players from Amantes de Bola whilst the manager raced onto the pitch to demand a red card be shown. Murta, whose day job is claimed to be a policeman, then went to the changing rooms before returning with the gun.

Murta faces psychological analysis and disciplinary action.

The Referees' Association boss Giuliano Bozzano is quoted as saying: "The Minas Gerais Football Federation has already summonsed the referee and a psychologist to a meeting and I’m going to talk with him today.

"On the basis of that conversation and his account of events and the results of the psychological assessment I’ll decide what if any measures to take.

"What’s happened is obviously not a common occurrence and I don’t want to rush into anything.

"At the moment it happened he’s opted for getting his gun because in his view it was a question of controlling a situation."