Santos supporters set cars and buses on fire in riots after the Brazilian giants – the club of Pele and Neymar – were relegated from the top flight for their first time in their 111-year history
- Santos were relegated following a dramatic final day of the Brazilian season
- Riots broke out after the match with supporters alleged to have set fire to cars
- This HAS to be the time when players show respect and control. Only the captain should approach referees – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Santos fans have set cars and buses ablaze on the streets after the Brazilian club were relegated for the first time in their 111-year history.
The club, made famous by Pele, suffered a 2-1 home loss to Fortaleza in the final round of Brazil’s Serie A on Wednesday night.
Defeat saw Santos finish the season in 17th place on 43 points, with the club finishing in the fourth and final relegation spot.
Santos had begun the final round of matches in 15th, but dropped into the relegation places after Vasco da Gama and Bahia won on the final day.
Vasco da Gama earned a late 2-1 win over Bragantino, while Bahia earned a surprise 4-1 victory against title chasing Atletico Mineiro.
Footage showed cars ablaze on the streets with smoke seen billowing up into the sky
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Fortaleza’s Lucero scored a stoppage time winner against Santos to seal their fate, with the club ending one point from safety following five matches without a win.
Santos had been one of only three teams not to be relegated from the Brazilian top flight, along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo.
Supporters had reacted with fury to the relegation at the club’s Vila Belmiro Stadium.
Videos revealed fans of the eight-time Brazilian champions had set cars and buses on fire on the streets around the ground.
Brazilian reports have claimed Santos striker Stiven Mendoza saw his car destroyed after the vehicle was set ablaze.
Footage showed smoke billowing into the sky amid the riots from the supporters.
A banner inside the stadium also reflected anger from supporters with the message ‘Second, sometimes. In the second, never.’
Supporters were also seen crying in their seats as the three-time Copa Libertadores winners dropped into the second tier.
Santos became one of the world’s best known clubs after Pele led them to six Brazilian titles
Neymar is among the stars to have emerged at Santos before success at Barcelona and PSG
Santos had become one of the most famous clubs in world football due to the exploits of Pele.
Pele, who died last year at the age of 82, led the club to 10 state and six Brazilian titles during the 1950s and 1960s.
He led the club to successive Copa Libertadores titles in 1962 and 1963, while the club lifted the Intercontinental Cup in both years.
Neymar is among the Brazilian stars to have started their careers at Santos, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo among those to have recently emerged at the club.
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