Players brawl in one derby, fans riot in another
Reuters - Monday 29 September 2008, 01:45
RIO DE JANEIRO - Players brawled on the
pitch during one Brazilian championship derby on Sunday and
fans clashed with riot police on the terraces during another.
The Internacional-Gremio match in Porto Alegre was marred
by ugly scenes just before half-time following a tackle by
Internacional defender Edinho on Gremio playmaker Tcheco.
The two became entangled and others immediately joined in
followed by members of the two substitutes' benches.
Officials struggled to control the situation as players
pushed, threatened and argued with each other, interrupting the
match for nearly five minutes.
When the situation calmed, Edinho and Tcheco were sent off.
Internacional, inspired by Argentine midfielder Andres
D'Alessandro, won 4-1, with all the goals coming in the first
half, and enjoyed the added bonus of knocking their arch-rivals
off the top of the table.
D'Alessandro rifled Internacional in front after four
minutes and provided the crosses for Indio and Nilmar to score
two more in a five-minute spell before halftime.
In between, Tcheco equalised for Gremio with an individual
goal and Alex put Internacional back in front in the 28th
minute.
The crowd trouble happened in Curitiba when fans of
visiting Atletico Paranaense fought with police on the terraces
at the Couto Pereira stadium during the game against Coritiba.
Television pictures showed riot police chasing fans on the
terraces with Alsatian dogs and truncheons.
Media reports said the trouble began when a Coritiba fan
hurled a firecracker towards the Atletico supporters.
Reports said rival fans also clashed at a bus terminal
before the game, hurling sticks and stones at each other.
Palmeiras, under former Brazil and Real Madrid coach
Vanderlei Luxemburgo, went top of the table after drawing 0-0
at Nautico.
Palmeiras and Gremio, who had led for 14 games, both have
50 points from 27 games but Palmeiras have won more matches.
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