A major cup final was marred by violence and a pitch invasion.
Groups of fans reportedly engaged in several brawls in the city before a ball had even been kicked.
Tempers flared during the final of the Copa do Brasil at the MRV Arena in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte yesterday (Nov 11).
Flamengo travelled to the city to face Clube Atlético Mineiro at their home ground for the second leg of the final.
Flamengo won 0-1 after also winning the first leg 3-1.
Their right winger Gonzalo Plata scored the only goal of the return tie in the 82nd minute.
Atlético full back Renzo Saravia was sent off in the 96th minute for a professional foul on the last man.
The final, Brazil’s equivalent of the FA Cup, was marred by crowd trouble before and after the match.
Beforehand, rival fans clashed in the city on at least two separate occasions.
According to the police, the first report happened at around 11am when an Atlético fan was allegedly attacked by a group of 10 Flamengo fans on Avenida Dionísio Gomes.
During the confusion, a man was reportedly stabbed with a pair of scissors and was taken to the João XXIII Hospital in a serious condition.
Shortly afterwards, around 40 rival fans were involved in an altercation on Dom Pedro I Avenue.
Flamengo fans then reported bottlenecks trying to enter the stadium with many taking their seat well after the opening whistle.
Problems resurfaced when the away side took the lead, resulting in the game being stopped for nine minutes.
According to reports, a fight broke out between players and coaches on the benches that quickly spread to the stands.
The melee resulted in an Atlético fan invading the pitch and needing to be escorted away.
Home fans are also accused of throwing numerous items at Flamengo players, including flares and unidentified liquids.
Plata, the hero of the match, was seen falling to the ground after apparently being hit by a missile from the crowd.
When the final whistle eventually sounded, the trouble started again.
Atlético fans invaded the pitch in large numbers and riot police had to take to the field to disperse them.
Some people were reportedly hit by rubber bullets and needed medical attention at the stadium.
Several players appealed to the rampaging supporters to stop the disruption, as reported by Need To Know.
The authorities said they are trying to identify the main culprits in the disturbances.
Flamengo lifted the fifth Copa do Brasil in the club’s history.
They had previously won the competition in 1990, 2006, 2013 and 2022.
