The preview of the semifinal game of the Copa Libertadores between Botafogo of Brazil and Peñarol of Uruguay It has been stormy, as visiting fans clashed with the police of Rio de Janeiro.
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Authorities confirmed that more than 200 Peñarol fans were detained before the game after brutal clashes.
Peñarol fans arrested
“I ordered the police to arrest, take to the police station and escort out of Rio de Janeiro the Peñarol fans, who are causing widespread confusion (…) We have already taken more than 200 detainees to the Police City,” said the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Castro, in X.
Brazilian police said Peñarol fans committed “a series of acts of vandalism, including looting and destruction of commercial establishments and vehicles.”
The AFP agency said that firefighters had to intervene to put out the fire caused by several vehicles, according to the same source. A pistol was confiscated.
“Given the seriousness of the situation” A special shock brigade was deployed, he added in a statement.
“Live images broadcast by the Globo channel showed fans throwing various objects and protecting themselves with plastic chairs,” AFP indicated.
And he sentenced: “At least one bus was set on fire during the riots. The images later showed how the police forced the fans to crowd together and to lie down on the ground before being arrested. Arriving from Uruguay in several buses, the fans had gathered near Recreio beach, in the western area of Rio, at the request of the authorities.”
