Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2017: Riot police called in as brawl erupts during brutal football match

A 40-man brawl ensued 15 minutes into the game between La Santa Croce Azzurri (Blue) and Santo Spirito Bianchi (White) when a player punched the referee and refused to leave the pitch.

Part pageant, part brawl: watching the world's most brutal ball game in Florence

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Calcio storico fiorentino: the traditionally brutal sport originating from 16th-century Italy, The Independent

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Riot police forced to break up Calcio Storico Fiorentino

The brutal and bloody 27-a-side Italian sport which merges football, rugby and WRESTLING