Vasco da Gama star apologises after being filmed throwing punches at a fan

A Brazilian footballer has come under fire after throwing a punch at a supporter in an airport scuffle.

Footage from a video posted to social media shows Vasco de Gama star Yago Pikachu lose his cool after a brawl broke out in Manaus ahead of their clash with Corinthians.

Close to 300 fans welcomed Vasco at the airport but it is unclear why the atmosphere turned sour.

In the footage fans pose for selfies and pictures with Pikachu before a bag appears to be thrown towards him.

He then lashes out at someone in the melee before he is quickly moved away.

The 26-year-old has apologised for the incident and explained his actions.

He said: 'While we took photos with fans, including a child on his mother's lap, a person began throwing objects towards us. They hit me and they could have hit the kid too.

'This aggression also reached the police and even in the videos you can see people behind me asking them to stop throwing such objects.

'I make it very clear that I would rather not have had that reaction. I make it even clearer that I regret it.

'However, I would like to explain to the immense Basque crowd that my act was a reaction to something I did not expect, especially because I had a child next to me who might have been hit.

'I have never had problems like this in my life, and everyone who knows me knows this and my nature.

'I'm very sorry for the images and I apologise to the fans for the bad impression that was caused. Very much. But this is my explanation for what happened. Sincere and true.'