Pig's Head Thrown Onto Field Adds Fuel to Fiery Palmeiras vs Corinthians Derby

Shocking Scene: Pig's Head Hurled in Derby Drama

Some football derbies are famous for wild goals, others for legendary players. But the latest showdown between Palmeiras and Corinthians will be remembered for something out of left field—a pig’s head thrown onto the pitch.

It all played out on November 6, 2024, in the intense atmosphere of the Paulista Derby. As Palmeiras prepared for a corner kick, a group of Corinthians fans tossed a severed pig’s head onto the grass. This wasn’t just a random prank. Palmeiras’ nickname is 'Porco,' which means pig in Portuguese, and Corinthians supporters were leaning in hard on rivalry and provocation. The stunt echoed the infamously hostile 2002 El Clásico moment, when Barcelona fans hurled a pig’s head at Luis Figo, who’d just switched to bitter rivals Real Madrid. Football fans never forget.

For a few seconds, confusion hung in the air. Corinthians’ striker Yuri Alberto stepped up, thinking it was some kind of squishy cushion. He booted it off the pitch—later admitting he almost got hurt, not realizing what he was dealing with. The animal’s head, disturbingly real, drew gasps from both the stands and players.

But the match went on. Fired up, Yuri Alberto later found the back of the net, helping his side to a convincing 2-0 win. That victory had even bigger implications—derailing Palmeiras’ hopes of clinching the Brazilian championship, which eventually went to Botafogo. For fans in green and white, the defeat stung all the more because of how it unfolded.

Derby Hostility: More Than Just a Game

This wasn’t just about one outrageous act, though. The Palmeiras-Corinthians rivalry is among the fiercest in Brazil, with both clubs’ supporters not afraid to turn up the heat. Clashes in the stands and sharp chants are par for the course, but this move crossed a new line—prompting immediate police action. Security teams quickly identified two suspects among Corinthians’ ultras and took them into custody. Both were released later, but the investigation is still running, with authorities working to prevent future escalations.

This Derby moment didn’t just dominate sports headlines in São Paulo. It sparked fresh debate about where club loyalty tips over into something uglier—and just how far some fans will go to taunt their rivals. For players, it was a reminder of how off-pitch antics can put them at risk and change the dynamic of a crucial game. The image of a pig’s head on the field, decades after the Figo incident, shows these heated rivalries haven’t cooled off. If anything, the drama is as raw as ever, especially when so much is on the line for both teams and their fans.

9 Comments

Ruben Figueroa
August 9, 2025 AT 01:37

LMAO 🤣 someone actually thought this was a good idea? Pig’s head on the pitch? Bro, it’s football, not a horror movie. Next they’ll throw a live chicken at the ref. 🐔
Gabriel Clark
August 10, 2025 AT 03:54

This incident reflects a disturbing normalization of violent symbolism in sports fandom. While rivalry is inherent to football, the use of animal remains as a weapon undermines the dignity of the sport and endangers participants. Such behavior must be met with systemic consequences, not merely temporary detention.
Steve Cox
August 12, 2025 AT 03:02

People act like this is some new thing. Every time a team gets too successful, the other side gets desperate and starts throwing trash. It’s not about rivalry-it’s about insecurity. And now we’ve got fans acting like they’re in a zombie movie instead of a soccer game. Pathetic.
Aaron Leclaire
August 13, 2025 AT 19:06

Pig’s head. Game over.
Mitch Roberts
August 14, 2025 AT 04:02

Yuri Alberto just turned that pig’s head into a goal machine 😤🔥 Bro kicked it like it owed him money and then scored! That’s the kind of energy we need-turn hate into power! Palmeiras fans are crying in their beer now, but the real win was turning terror into triumph! #PorcoNoMore
Mark Venema
August 14, 2025 AT 23:11

The conduct displayed by the offending supporters is wholly incompatible with the spirit of sportsmanship. While passionate rivalry is culturally significant, the deliberate introduction of biological matter onto the field constitutes a breach of both safety protocols and ethical norms. The appropriate response must include permanent bans, legal charges, and educational outreach to deter future occurrences.
Jasvir Singh
August 15, 2025 AT 10:14

I am from India, we have our own rivalries, but never something like this. Football is game of heart, not hate. This pig head thing... it sad. Players risk their body, and fans throw dead animals? No. No. No. Someone must teach them respect. Even in rivalry, humanity must stay.
Brian Walko
August 15, 2025 AT 16:49

It’s important to recognize that while this act was vile and unacceptable, the fact that the match continued-and that Yuri Alberto channeled that outrage into a decisive performance-shows the resilience of athletes. The real victory wasn’t just the 2-0 scoreline; it was the refusal to let hatred dictate the outcome of the game.
Derrek Wortham
August 16, 2025 AT 04:25

This is the most dramatic thing to happen in football since Zidane headbutted Materazzi. The pig’s head. The chaos. The fact that the striker didn’t scream and run off the field. The fact that the game didn’t get canceled. The fact that the fans are STILL arguing about it a week later. This isn’t just a derby-it’s a cinematic moment. Someone make a Netflix docuseries. I’ll watch the first episode before I even brush my teeth.