Brazilian Youth Match Halted After Macaw Swoops Onto Pitch
A Brazilian youth football match between Flamengo and Ceará was temporarily suspended after a blue-and-yellow macaw flew onto the pitch and startled players during the game.
The unusual incident occurred in the 17th minute of the match at the Granja Comari training complex in Teresópolis, Brazil.
Flamengo defender Valmir was in possession of the ball when the large bird swooped low across the field before flying directly toward him.
The defender attempted to evade the macaw, but it struck him from behind, causing him to fall.
The bird continued circling and swooping at other players, forcing the referee to stop play briefly until it eventually flew away and the match resumed.
Despite taking the lead through the disruption, Flamengo were unable to hold on as Ceará came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory. André Luis and Kayck Pará scored the goals that completed the comeback.
The bird involved was later identified as a blue-and-yellow macaw, a parrot species commonly found across South America.
The incident adds to a growing list of unusual interruptions in football matches.
In May, a regional league game in Russia was briefly stopped after a cow ran onto the pitch and sprinted along the touchline during the second half.
The unusual incident occurred in the 17th minute of the match at the Granja Comari training complex in Teresópolis, Brazil.
Flamengo defender Valmir was in possession of the ball when the large bird swooped low across the field before flying directly toward him.
The defender attempted to evade the macaw, but it struck him from behind, causing him to fall.
The bird continued circling and swooping at other players, forcing the referee to stop play briefly until it eventually flew away and the match resumed.
Despite taking the lead through the disruption, Flamengo were unable to hold on as Ceará came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory. André Luis and Kayck Pará scored the goals that completed the comeback.
The bird involved was later identified as a blue-and-yellow macaw, a parrot species commonly found across South America.
The incident adds to a growing list of unusual interruptions in football matches.
In May, a regional league game in Russia was briefly stopped after a cow ran onto the pitch and sprinted along the touchline during the second half.
