The mayoral debate in Brazil turned ugly when after a candidate attacked his rival with a metal chair on live TV, CNN reported. According to the report, the incident took place on Sunday, September 15, when Pablo Marcal, a mayoral candidate, was delivering his speech when Jose Luiz Datena, his rival, came from behind and attacked him with a chair. The video of the incident was widely shared on social media.
The footage showed Datena walking up to Marcal and swinging a chair at him. Marcal somehow manages to raise his arm in time to soften the blow. As the scuffle betweem the two broke out people nearby and security officials swung into action to control the situation from escalating.
Marcal, who was rushed to a hospital immediately, reportedly fractured his ribs and complained of breathing difficulties. The hospital said he had suffered trauma to his chest and wrist, but without any major complications, CNN reported.
Later, Datena told a TV channel that he attacked his rival as he brought an old sexual harrassment case which was closed several years ago.
"He came with a case that was archived, that was not even investigated by the police because there was no evidence. Something from 11 years ago that caused a very serious situation within my family," Datena said.
Debate in Brazil for the mayor of São Paulo.One candidate provokes the other, calling for a fight (they almost fought in the previous debate). And now the candidate who is a TV presenter attacks the other, who is a coach. Crazy!! pic.twitter.com/j0mJ700ah9
— Ed Issao (@EdIssao19) September 16, 2024
Datena was expelled from the debate following the incident, he, however, did admit that he made a mistake but said he did not regret his actions.
Marcal likened the attack to the assassination attempt against former US President Donald Trump and the stabbing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during the 2018 election. His team has vowed to take legal action.
"Pablo Marcal was cowardly attacked by Jose Luiz Datena, who hit him in the ribs with an iron chair," Marcal's team said.
Following the attack, the debate continued with the remaining candidates—Guilherme Boulos, Marina Helena, Ricardo Nunes, and Tabata Amaral. TV Cultura expressed regret over the incident and decided to proceed with the discussion according to the established rules, with the agreement of the other candidates.