A rogue parrot twice invaded a Brazil Under-15 Cup match between Flamengo and Ceará in Rio de Janeiro, causing significant disruptions and forcing the referee to halt play.
The unusual avian interruptions occurred during the match between the two clubs. The parrot first targeted a Flamengo defender who was in possession of the ball, perching on him before moving on to harass other young players.
These attacks led the referee to pause the game. Play eventually resumed, but the parrot returned for a second intervention, again bringing the match to a standstill. The game eventually concluded with Flamengo winning 1-0.
The incident, which has drawn attention online, involved a large parrot that repeatedly interfered with the youth soccer game. Some reports suggest the bird's aggressive behavior was uncharacteristic for the region, where soccer is a prominent sport.