Crazy Scenes At Maracana Before Brazil vs Argentina FIFA World Cup Qualifier. (Twitter)
Before the on-area proceedings would kick off, mayhem erupted between the Brazilian police and a piece of Argentine followers behind one of many objectives. The turbulent state of affairs transpired through the nationwide anthems after followers of each groups instantly received engaged in a brawl.
The environment on the Maracana Stadium turned fairly chaotic forward of the FIFA World Cup qualifier between two South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina on Wednesday.
With Lionel Messi main the Argentine facet, many visiting followers have been on the stadium to cheer for his or her nation. Before the on-area proceedings would kick off, mayhem erupted between the Brazilian police and a piece of Argentine followers behind one of many objectives. The stand was holding greater than 3,000 spectators. The turbulent state of affairs transpired through the nationwide anthems after followers of each groups instantly received engaged in a brawl.
When the state of affairs went uncontrolled, the Brazilian police needed to intervene. They went on to cost with batons to interrupt up the struggle. In some extensively circulated movies, the police personnel have been seen hitting some Argentine followers, whereas the others have been falling behind with worry. Just a few of them additionally got here all the way down to the pitch to avoid wasting themselves. One fan was captured mendacity on the bottom with a bloodied face. He was later taken out of the stadium on a stretcher.
While all of those have been taking place, Messi and different Argentine footballers have been ready for the match to start out. Players of each side got here ahead and urged their followers to settle down. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez climbed up on the railings to cease the police from hitting the followers.
Glimpses of the disagreeable occasion have been shared on X by soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano. “Crazy scenes in the stands at Maracanã between Brazilian police and Argentina fans,” the caption of the put up learn.
According to a report by AFP, Col. Vagner Ferreira, the very best-rating police officer within the stadium, put your entire blame on the organisers of the match, citing the dearth of a barrier between the followers of each groups within the stands. Irked by the police’s behaviour, the Argentine squad determined to depart the sphere and went straight into the tunnel. The Brazilian unit stayed on the pitch and waited for 22 minutes till their opponent got here out of the locker room.
Messi addressed the subject through the put up-match press convention. “There were families of the players there. We were more worried about that than playing the match. We went to the locker room because that was the way to make it all calm. From below, we couldn’t do much, we saw how the police hit people,” the Argentine captain mentioned.
Looking on the on-area growth, Argentina secured a slim victory within the tense South American World Cup qualifier, due to a objective by Nicolas Otamendi. With 5 wins in six video games, Messi and Co. are holding the highest spot within the desk. Meanwhile, Brazil have managed solely two victories up to now and are reeling in sixth place.
