Police use tear gas to disperse fighting fans
Reuters - Monday 05 April 2010, 02:52
RIO DE JANEIRO - Police used tear gas to
disperse fighting fans at a match in northeastern Brazil on
Sunday with the fumes also effecting players, local newspaper a
Tarde reported on their website.
Former Brazilian champions Bahia were leading 2-0 against
local side Fluminense at half time in a Baiano state
championship match in Feira de Santana when rival fans clashed
on the terraces.
Police immediately resorted to tear gas with the fumes
reaching other parts of the ground, affecting supporters in the
stands and players returning to the pitch after halftime.
Players rushed to the exit of the small stadium to escape
the effects of the tear gas and recover before play could
resume, some sitting in the car park wiping their eyes, the
newspaper's website reported while
showing pictures of the scenes.
Bahia, Brazilian champions in 1988 and now in the national
second division, won the state quarter-final 2-1.
Last month, police in the northern state of Rondonia
resorted to pepper spray to try to get two players to leave the
pitch after they were sent off and refused to accept the
referee's decision, sparking a free-for-all.
In the Paulista (Sao Paulo), the most important of the
state championships that open the Brazilian season, Brazil
striker Robinho scored on his return from injury for Santos in
their 3-1 win over Sao Caetano.
Robinho, who missed four matches with a thigh injury, took
his tally in two spells at Santos to 89 goals in 200 matches.
"In general, I think I was okay," said Robinho, who has
scored five goals in eight games since his return in January on
loan from Manchester City.
"I think I have to improve for the (Paulista) semi-final,
look after myself to get there in good shape," he told
reporters.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo scored for the second
successive match to help Corinthians beat Ituano 2-0 but they
are not yet sure of qualifying for the last four.
He scored in his team's 2-1 win over Cerro Porteno of
Paraguay in a mid-week Libertadores Cup match.
The semi-finalists for the second stage of the Carioca (Rio
de Janeiro) championship are the city's big four, Flamengo,
Fluminense, Vasco da Gama and Botafogo.
Botafogo, who won the first stage, face "Flu" next Saturday
and Carioca and national title holders Flamengo meet Vasco on
Sunday.
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