The World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on Tuesday was delayed by nearly 30 minutes after clashes between fans and police broke out in the stands. The violence erupted during the playing of the national anthems when some local and visiting supporters started throwing objects at each other behind one of the goals. The police intervened with batons and pepper spray, causing chaos and panic among the spectators.
Messi criticizes security measures
Argentina’s captain and star player Lionel Messi expressed his dismay at the situation, saying that there “could have been a tragedy” if the police had not acted quickly. He also criticized the security measures at the stadium, which he said were insufficient to prevent the clashes. “It’s a shame that something like this happens in a football match. We came here to play and enjoy, not to fight. The fans should respect each other and the players,” Messi said after the match.
Messi scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute, giving Argentina a 1-0 victory over Brazil and extending their lead at the top of the South American qualifying group. Brazil, who had won all their previous seven matches, remained in second place, six points behind their arch-rivals.
FIFA condemns violence
The world football governing body FIFA issued a statement condemning the violence and expressing its solidarity with the victims. “FIFA strongly rejects any form of violence and will not tolerate such incidents in any of its competitions. FIFA will work closely with the local authorities and the respective member associations to investigate the matter and take appropriate measures,” the statement read.
FIFA also reminded the fans of the importance of fair play and respect for their opponents, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the lives of millions of people around the world. “Football is a beautiful game that brings people together and promotes peace and harmony. We urge all the fans to behave responsibly and follow the health and safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of the virus,” the statement added.
Previous incidents
This is not the first time that Brazil and Argentina matches have been marred by violence. In 1995, a friendly match between the two teams in Buenos Aires was abandoned after a riot broke out in the stands, leaving several people injured. In 2005, another friendly match in London was interrupted by a pitch invasion by a group of Brazilian fans, who tried to attack the Argentine players. In 2012, a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires was delayed by an hour after a power outage caused by a firework thrown by a fan.
The two teams are set to face each other again in the final of the Copa America, the continental championship, on Saturday at the Maracana. The match is expected to be a tense and thrilling encounter, as both sides seek to claim the trophy and assert their dominance in South American football.
