A defender Rodrigo earned a red card after trying to poke a finger into an opponent’s backside. With a fear of the drop from Brazil’s Serie A on the line on Sunday, Ponte Preta were leading relegation rivals Vitoria 2-0 before collapsing to a 3-2 defeat that sent them down.

The catalyst, on 20 minutes and with that two-goal lead in hand, was the sending-off of Rodrigo – the centre back being dismissed for his assault on Rodrigo Tellez.

Television replays showed Rodrigo grabbing the Vitoria man from behind and appearing to jab a finger into his backside in an off-the-ball situation.

Ponte Preta promptly surrendered their lead, falling behind with eight minutes remaining before their fans invaded the pitch to have the match abandoned, sealing their demise.

Supporters in the 13,000 sell-out crowd tore down parts of the wire fencing and charged on to the pitch, with angry supporters surrounding goalkeeper Aranha.

Most of the other players ran from the field and, although the referee waited almost an hour in the hope of restarting the game, he ruled that the players’ safety could not be guaranteed and abandoned the match.

Supporters in the 13,000 sell-out crowd tore down parts of the wire fencing and charged on to the pitch, with angry supporters surrounding goalkeeper Aranha.

Most of the other players ran from the field and, although the referee waited almost an hour in the hope of restarting the game, he ruled that the players’ safety could not be guaranteed and abandoned the match.

Supporters in the 13,000 sell-out crowd tore down parts of the wire fencing and charged on to the pitch, with angry supporters surrounding goalkeeper Aranha.

Most of the other players ran from the field and, although the referee waited almost an hour in the hope of restarting the game, he ruled that the players’ safety could not be guaranteed and abandoned the match.