Pig’s Head Thrown onto Pitch During Brazilian Derby

A disturbing incident occurred during a match between São Paulo rivals Corinthians and Palmeiras in the Brazilian championship, where a pig’s head was thrown onto the field. The object was hurled onto the pitch as Palmeiras prepared to take a corner in the first half. Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto quickly ran over from the penalty box to kick it off the field before the game resumed.

South American football correspondent Tim Vickery commented on X, “It’s a new one for me—during the big São Paulo derby, someone threw a pig’s head on the pitch (the pig is Palmeiras’ symbol).”

The incident echoes a similar occurrence in 2002 when Barcelona fans famously threw a pig’s head onto the field as Luis Figo, their former player, returned to the Nou Camp with Real Madrid.

Both Globo and ESPN Brazil reported that police are investigating the matter. Two fans were arrested following the incident but were later released.

The pig has been associated with Palmeiras since 1986 when rival fans chanted “pig” during a match against Santos. Palmeiras fans embraced the term, responding with chants of “Go for it Pig! Ole Ole Ole.”