A mayoral candidate in Sao Paulo slammed a metal chair into his rival during a televised debate, plunging the race to govern Brazil’s largest city into chaos.

Jose Luiz Datena, a TV presenter, exploded on Sunday when Pablo Marcal, his Right-wing opponent, said he was “not man enough” to follow through with his threats to hit him.

In his rage, Mr Datena, who is polling in fifth place for the Oct 6 election, picked up a chair, ran towards the podium and brought it crashin Mr Marcal, an influencer turned political novice, in a prior debate after he made references to since-retracted allegations of sexual misconduct against Mr Dartena.

TV Cultura, who was hosting the debate, suddenly cut to commercials. Mr Datena was expelled, while Mr Marcal was taken to hospital for a bruised rib, his aides said. The remaining candidates continued the debate.

Mr Marcal later referred to the incident on social media as “attempted homicide”, comparing it to the July assassination attempt against Donald Trump and the stabbing of Jair Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian president, in 2018.