Brawl breaks out on Copacabana Beach between rival Boca Juniors and Fluminense fans ahead of Copa Libertadores final, with Argentine fan ‘arrested for throwing bottles at police’
- The two sides are set to go head-to-head at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday
- Footage shared on social media showed dozens of fans involved in a mass brawl
- Big debates on Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal on It’s All Kicking Off podcast
A Boca Juniors fan has reportedly been arrested and accused of throwing bottles at police after Copacabana Beach played host to a brawl between two sets of fans.
Boca Juniors and Fluminense supporters clashed on the beach in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday which saw a fight break out featuring dozens of people.
The two teams are set to go head-to-head in the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday in the city, with Juniors travelling across South America from Argentina to Brazil for the game.
According to Ioda Valley News, the atmosphere at the beach, being used as a ‘fan zone’, was friendly before the altercation, with police having to get involved.
Another Boca fan was reportedly arrested for kicking a dog and trying to attack another man.
A fight broke out between Boca Juniors and Fluminense fans on Copacabana Beach, according to reports
Fans appeared to be enjoying their afternoons on the beach before the brawl broke out – there is no suggestion those pictured were involved
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Footage shared on social media appeared to show dozens of fans walking peacefully on the beach before a group of people ran from one direction of the beach to the other.
Several people began to retreat, but it is clear that fights are taking place with a number of people involved in physical altercations.
The end of the footage shows a number of emergency control vehicles present at the beach, with proceedings eventually seemingly calming down, though arm police were also seemingly involved.
It’s not clear if one group of fans attacked another or if the attack was targeted.
Boca Juniors supporters have travelled from Argentina for the match against the Brazilian side – there is no suggestion those pictured were involved
Edinson Cavani (centre) could feature for Boca, who are looking to win their seventh title
Marcelo, meanwhile, is likely to play for Fluminense in the game in his homeland of Brazil
The build-up to the game had already been marred with Boca players reportedly losing their luggage upon arrival in Brazil.
According to BNN, five suitcases were not loaded onto the team’s flight which caused a lengthy delay in their travels/
In Saturday’s final, which will be held at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, will see Boca bid to try and win their seventh title, with Fluminense chasing their first.
The competition is similar to Europe’s Champions League tournament, but is played before the end of the domestic season in both Argentina and Brazil. The likes of Edinson Cavani and Marcelo are expected to feature in the final.
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