Riots between local Brazilians and Argentinian visitors marred a celebration for football supporters at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the Copa Libertadores final between hosts Fluminense and Boca Juniors Buenos Aires on Saturday (9pm CET). According to local police, officers arrested two Argentinians and a Brazilian.
Television images show that the security forces also used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop the riots.
South America’s continental association CONMEBOL condemned the outbreaks of violence between the traditionally very rival fans from the countries of the two major football powers.
“The values of sport should promote peaceful and harmonious behavior. For this reason, we also reject acts of violence in connection with this final,” said the organization in an official reaction to the clashes on the world-famous beach of the former Olympic city.
Regardless of this, mutual blame for the riots also caused diplomatic tensions between the countries of the two finalists.
In view of information in the Argentine press about an “ambush” by local hooligans for Boca fans with “hunts” and robberies on the one hand, and on the one hand a one-sided approach by the police against fans in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s ambassador to Brazil criticized the tactics of the emergency services.
Daniel Scioli said he was “outraged by the irrational actions of the police: “Nothing justifies police repression in the context of the passion for football.”
The Copa Libertadores is the most important trophy in South American club football and is therefore the counterpart to the European Champions League. In the duel to replace Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro, Fluminense are looking for their first success at continental level, while former Maradona club Boca Juniors are hoping for their seventh Copa Libertadores triumph.