Before Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores semi-final between Botafogo and Penarol from Uruguay’s capital Montevideo, there were riots and numerous arrests in Rio de Janeiro.
According to police, suspected supporters of the Uruguayan soccer team had looted shops and destroyed vehicles, including a bus as well as motorcycles. These were set on fire on the waterfront in the west of Rio de Janeiro, as could be seen in photos and videos. Stones and bottles were also thrown at the intervening police. In addition, tables from the shops on the beach were used as shields and tent poles were used as batons, as reported by local media.
According to police, more than 250 people have been arrested to date as a result of the riots. A pistol has also been confiscated.
Fans are to be escorted out of the city
“Football is a sport of celebration and unity. We will not allow these lawbreakers to disrupt the daily lives of the people through brutal and vandal behavior. Scenes like this must not be repeated,” Rios Governor Claudio Castro said in the short message service X. By order of the government, the Penarol fans are now to be escorted out of the city.
According to the police, the unrest began around noon after one of the fans stole a cell phone from a bakery. Botafogo will face Penarol on Wednesday night (2:30 a.m. CEST) in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-finals. The return leg will be played in Montevideo a week later (Thursday, 1:30 a.m. CEST). The South American tournament is comparable to the Champions League.