The Brazilian football league ended on Sunday with a violent brawl that seriously injured three people, with two big clubs being relegated.
Fights broke out between the fans from Vasco da Gama and Atletico Paranaense and the match in southern Brazil was stopped for an hour as a result of it.
Unconscious men were being kicked in the head despite desperate appeals were made from the football players. A helicopter had to land on the pitch to transport an injured fan to a nearby hospital.
The violent scenes were recorded by television cameras and were broadcast to millions on Sunday afternoon. These shocking scenes are likely to question Brazil’s capability to ensure that fans would be safe during next year’s World Cup.
One player from Atletico Paranaense was seen crying after fans were getting beaten up.
“I have been playing for around 20 years and I have not seen anything like this in person. We would be having a World Cup in our country and it is known that such images would harm the country’s reputation of hosting an international event”, defender Luiz Alberto said.
Despite high tensions during the commotion, no police personnel was present inside the stadium.
“It is a private event and the security is ensured by a private company hired by Atletico Paranaense. We are only responsible for policing the external areas”, a state military police, Adilson Moreira told the News Agency.
Rubber bullets were fired by Riot police and at least two fans were injured due to that.
The match ended with Paranaense thumping its opponent 5-1. Vasco da Gama and Fluminense would now be relegated.