Watch shocking moment riot police storm pitch to protect referee as he’s attacked by raging players in cup match chaos

THIS is the shocking moment riot police stormed a pitch to protect the referee from being attacked by angry players.

The chaotic scenes occurred in Brazil during a cup game between top-flight side Botafogo and fourth-tier minnows Sergipe.

TwitterA fan runs on to the pitch to attack the referee[/caption]

Twitter A Brazilian ref was attacked by players after a controversial late goal[/caption]

Presidente do Sergipe agredindo com vários socos o árbitro ( Bráulio) no final do jogo entre Sergipe e Botafogo.

— LIBERTA DEPRE (@liberta___depre) March 3, 2023

Twitter @liberta___depreRiot police were forced to intervene in the game between Botafogo and Sergipe[/caption]

Incredibly, the underdogs Sergipe led the tie until the closing stages as they were cheered on by loyal home fans.

But the pressure increased when nine minutes of injury time were added on to the game.

Botafogo turned up the heat as they had several close corners in succession.

However, when the injury time had elapsed, referee Braulio da Silva Machado added on yet another 30 seconds so Botafogo could take a final set-piece.

And unsurprisingly, the Samba giants finally netted an equaliser.

Rules in the Brazilian Cup mean the home side goes out if the result is a draw.

And furious Sergipe players, fans and coaching staff rushed the field as the final whistle was blown.

They surrounded Machado before several began to beat him, sparking a mass brawl.

Twitter @liberta___depreSergipe players were furious after Botafogo netted a late goal[/caption]

Twitter @liberta___depreThe result meant Sergipe crashed out of the cup, sparking an angry reaction[/caption]

Even Sergipe’s president charged onto the pitch before being hit by a linesman armed with a stick.

And furious fans also joined the melee before riot police armed with shields emerged from the sidelines.

They thankfully managed to calm things down before the scenes became even wilder.

But Botafogo players and their boss, former Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk manager Luis Castro, still required a police escort to leave the field safely.

Twitter @liberta___depreSergipe’s president was among those who attacked the ref[/caption]

Twitter @liberta___deprePolice armed with shields broke up the fighting[/caption]