RIOT police rushed into the stands to break up ugly brawls as a Paraguayan First Division match was abandoned.
Title challengers Olimpia Asuncion hosted looking to go top but the game was called off after just eight minutes with the score at 0-0.
The police report four people were taken to hospital with serious injuries after the battles in the northern city of Pedro Juan Caballero.
Women and children could be seen fleeing the violent scenes in shocking video footage.
Players from both sides approached the edge of the field to plead for calm but referee Eber Aquino was forced to call off the match.
The loss of the game is particularly significant for hosts Olimpia, who are just two points behind leaders Sportivo Luqueno.
Paraguay’s FA have yet to announce sanctions for the teams involved.
But president Robert Harrison took to Twitter to condemn the appalling incident.
He said: “We condemn the violence. We totally repudiate the acts of vandalism in the match between Olimpia and Sol de America.”
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