Shocking moment gunman shoots pistol during mass brawl between football players as others flee for safety

THIS is the terrifying moment a gunman shot his pistol at a footballer during a mass brawl at a teenage match.

Alarming footage caught on a fans mobile phone shows the punch up in full flow at a game on December 19 in Rosario, Argentina.

Two youngsters were swinging punches at each other before a spectator walks onto the turf to follow the fight.

The shooter then raised an automatic pistol and fired at point-blank range at one of the players at the centre of the fight.

Players and spectators ran for their lives after the shot rung out in front of a large crowd.

One teenager in a red shirt, who was in the midst of the bust-up, clutched his arm as if he had been wounded.

His two teammates help him from the pitch and his punching opponent ran off, before the video later went viral on social media.

Meanwhile, the gunman, who had to be held back by a young woman, waved his weapon in the air and pointed in the opposite direction.

It is unclear whether the shooting was triggered randomly by the violence on the pitch or if the gunman was targeting a specific player.

The club ground owner later told local media: “Both teams use the ground regularly.

“But had never seen the man with the gun before. We’re going to rise above this.”

Police are understood to be investigating the shooting, according to NewsX.

Last month, the leader of a notorious group of football hooligans in Argentina was shot dead near his club’s stadium in Rosario.

Andres Bracamonte had spent more than 20 years as head of the Rosario Central supporters’ gang and had a history of taking part in violent conflicts with rival hooligans.

He and his deputy, Daniel “Rana” Atardo, were just four blocks from the Gigante de Arroyito stadium when they were gunned down by a motorcyclist on Saturday.

Rosario Central had just played a league game, but Bracamonte did not attend.

He had been banned from matches because of previous incidents and had been accused extortion by Argentine authorities.