Brazilian police and football specialists exchanged fault Wednesday after a fight broke out in front of Brazil’s match against main opponents Argentina, leaving a few harmed in what fans called a “misfortune predicted.” Brazil’s football groups of followers affiliation, ANATORG, said government specialists and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) were “careless” in seating rival fans close to one another at Tuesday’s legendary conflict in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana arena, without any obstructions isolating them.
The 2026 World Cup qualifier, which Argentina won 1-0, must be deferred for around 30 minutes when opponent fans began tossing punches before the opening shot. Police retaliated the scuffle with mallet, leaving a few fans with bloodied faces and different wounds.
“The carelessness and ineptitude of the CBF and security authorities brought about the fight,” said ANATORG, which had given a proclamation Monday cautioning of the gamble of brutality, given the blended seating plan.
“This was a misfortune predicted,” it said.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the mean time said there is “definitely a bad situation for viciousness in football.”
“Players, fans, staff and authorities must be free from even a hint of harm,” he composed on Instagram.
The notable arena dropped into confusion Tuesday night, as players attempted to no end to get fans to stop the fight. Argentina chief Lionel Messi drove his group back to the changing area, returning solely after the brutality had been suppressed.
Rio state police referred to the occasions as “wretched,” and blamed the CBF for meeting with its commandants to examine security designs solely after tickets had sold out with a blended seating plan.
“The CBF chose to deliver tickets available to be purchased without country standards and, more terrible, without delimiting separate seating regions,” it said in an explanation.
The CBF dismissed allegations of carelessness.
“State police and different specialists knew about the arrangement to utilize blended seating, which is the norm for matches coordinated by FIFA,” it said in an explanation.
“The association and arranging of the match were cautiously and decisively did by the CBF, along with the specialists, particularly the police.”
After the match, Messi censured the police “suppression” of fans, posting via virtual entertainment: “This can’t go on without serious consequences! It’s madness, it requirements to stop.”
