9 arrested in Boca Juniors-Fluminense supporter clash on Copacabana beach
Argentine Boca Juniors fans gather on Brazilian beach
Argentine Boca Juniors fans cheer at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday (Aug. 3) ahead of the team's Copa Libertadores final against Brazil's Fluminense, which is one day away.
Supporters of Brazilian and Argentine soccer teams have clashed in a brawl ahead of the final match in the rivalry that crowns South America's top soccer team.
On Wednesday (local time), fans of Argentina's Boca Juniors and Brazil's Fluminense, both finalists in the Copa Libertadores, a South American soccer club competition, fought on Copacapana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to Argentine daily La Nacion and Brazilian media outlet G1.
As Boca Juniors supporters traveled to Brazil to celebrate the upcoming final at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium on Thursday, some fans got into an altercation with Fluminense supporters on the beach, waving jerseys and team flags, local media reported.
Other Brazilian fans joined the fray, which escalated into a large brawl.
Argentine sports publication Diario Ole reported that videos on social media showed Brazilian police officers responding to the situation pointing guns at Argentine soccer fans. Some officers were also reportedly brandishing batons.
Argentina's ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Scioli, criticized the Brazilian police response on social media, saying, "Nothing justifies repression as brutal as what we saw in Copacabana, where children were also present."
Brazilian police explained that there were two major disturbances the previous evening and night. They added that they had arrested seven Argentines and two nationals for assault.
"The day after the disturbances, Argentine fans again waved their flags and completely occupied a sandy beach near one of the hotels," Brazil's G1 wrote, implying that Argentina was responsible for the previous day's events.
"Despite the attacks the day before, Boca fans gathered again, singing loudly and throwing flares to show their unwavering support for their club," wrote Argentina's La Nacion. 슬롯사이트