A so-called friendly between Real Betis and Como descended into chaos after players from both sides were seen throwing punches at one another.
The Spanish and Italian clubs were playing their penultimate friendlies before the competitive season starts for them.
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But Wednesday evening proved the two sides had certainly found their competitive edge in pre-season.
Cesc Fabregas‘ Serie A side won the clash 3-2, but not before trying to go 12 rounds with their rivals after a stunning brawl broke out at the end of the first half.
Former West Ham star Pablo Fornals was at the centre of the brawl as he exchanged blows with Máximo Perrone.
The rivals were seen squaring up to one another before they got involved in a shoving match.
That was abruptly ended when Fornals appeared to PUNCH Perrone, with the Argentine then trying strike the 29-year-old.
However, he was unable to do so as Betis and Como players rushed over to intervene, before many of them also ended up in grappling matches of their own while trying to diffuse the situation.
There was one unfortunately funny moment in the melee as Cucho Hernandez came flying in to try and land a punch on a rival, only to punch his own team-mate, Natan, in the face instead.
Fornals avoided being sent off despite landing the first blow, with the same lack of punishment also going to Hernandez following his attempted flying punch.
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Meanwhile, former Manchester City star Perrone was not so lucky and was sent for an early shower.
In the aftermath, ex-Arsenal star Hector Bellerin tried to speak to the referee to get the situation under control.
But the Spaniard instead became more and more animated himself as he grew frustrated with the referee after he had also sent him off.
The 30-year-old was guided away from the official while still protesting, before tempers between the teams flared again by the tunnel.
Bellerin’s red card was reversed before the end of the first half.
It remains to be seen whether any retrospective punishment could be enforced.
Europa Conference League runner-up Betis take on newly-promoted Elche in their La Liga opener.
On the other hand, Como – who recently “banished” Dele Alli from their squad – will play Suditrol in the first round of the Coppa Italia before facing Lazio in their Serie A opener.
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