A video of Bolivian president Evo Morales kneeing an opponent in the groin during a football match has become a massive YouTube hit in South America.
Mr Morales took part in a football match on Sunday to inaugurate a renovated stadium in La Paz against a team of political rivals.
The first ever indigenous president of Bolivia didn't take too kindly to this and went up to Cartagena, kneeing him in the groin. The player collapsed, prompting audible whistles from spectators.
Incredibly Mr Morales was not booked while his victim was sent off and threatened with arrest.
Mr Morales denied ordering the arrest but was unrepentant about his response to Cartagena's foul.
He told reporters: "I passed the ball and suddenly received a strong blow to my leg, it was not the first time it had happened."
By the end, the match drawn at 4-4, two players from each side had been sent off, including Cartagena and one of the president's bodyguards.
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Mr Morales took part in a football match on Sunday to inaugurate a renovated stadium in La Paz against a team of political rivals.
Within five minutes of minutes of the match, events took a turn for the worse when the Bolivian leader was kicked in the shin by an opposition player, Daniel Gustavo Cartagena.
The first ever indigenous president of Bolivia didn't take too kindly to this and went up to Cartagena, kneeing him in the groin. The player collapsed, prompting audible whistles from spectators.
Incredibly Mr Morales was not booked while his victim was sent off and threatened with arrest.
Mr Morales denied ordering the arrest but was unrepentant about his response to Cartagena's foul.
He told reporters: "I passed the ball and suddenly received a strong blow to my leg, it was not the first time it had happened."
By the end, the match drawn at 4-4, two players from each side had been sent off, including Cartagena and one of the president's bodyguards.
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