Copa Libertadores: Flamengo’s celebrations end in sad note as fans battle police
Celebrations of Flamengo’s triumph in the Copa Libertadores came to an abrupt end in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, when clashes erupted between a group of supporters and police.
Tens of thousands of ecstatic fans wearing their team’s black-and-red jerseys poured into the streets of the city’s historic centre in the morning to welcome Flamengo’s heroic players.
Carro da prefeitura do Rio atropela policial durante repressão no fim do desfile do Flamengo em comemoração ao título da Libertadores: https://t.co/lgd5TYlyC5 pic.twitter.com/EkyyI0NPHR
— Cecília Olliveira (@Cecillia) November 24, 2019
For hours, the flood of supporters, including many families and children, celebrated peacefully, waving flags and setting off fireworks as the Copa Libertadores winners rode through the streets in an open-top bus.
But around 4.30pm local time, in the final stretch of the festivities, TV images showed thick white smoke coming out of the parade, which quickly dispersed the nearby crowd.
Clashes followed, with a group of supporters throwing rocks, beer bottles and other objects at police. The disturbances later eased.
Meanwhile, according to Cecilia Olliveira – a Brazilian journalist – riot police were accidentally run over by fellow colleagues as they looked to defuse the violence.
Read Also: Barbosa double helps Flamengo beat River Plate to claim Copa Libertadores
The team’s victory on Saturday over Argentine side River Plate has lifted the spirits of Brazilians after a period of economic stagnation and political infighting.
That’s especially true in Rio, home of the country’s largest club.
It hadn’t won the Copa in 38 years, while its Brazilian rivals had won five of the previous 10 competitions.