Police rifle aimed at furious Brazilian fans
Reuters - Sunday 25 September 2011, 09:24
RIO DE JANEIRO - A referee
left the pitch under heavy police protection after awarding
a stoppage-time penalty to the away side in a Brazilian
championship match.
Atletico Paranaense's game at home to Fluminense at
Curitiba's Arena da Baixada - one of the 12 venues for the 2014
World Cup - ended in chaos on Saturday after the visitors
scored in stoppage time to grab a 1-1 draw.
Dozens of Atletico fans gathered around the entrance to the
tunnel used by players and officials behind one of the goals,
preventing the match officials from leaving the pitch for five
minutes.
Television pictures showed that the officials remained in
the centre circle surrounded by police as the supporters
protested.
At one point, a police official on the pitch pointed a rifle
towards the fans. One Brazilian media report said rubber bullets
were fired.
Police eventually went into the stands to disperse the
supporters and the officials left the pitch surrounded under the
protection of officers wielding riot shields.
Paulo Baier gave Atletico the lead after half-time but former
Olympique Lyon striker Fred levelled from the penalty which
replays suggested was awarded when Lanzini threw himself over in
the area.
Atletico, 18th in the 20-team table, were also awarded a
controversial penalty in the first half but Cleber Santana's
weak effort was effort saved by Diego Cavalieri.
There was also trouble at Cruzeiro where around 250 fans
gathered in front of the team's training ground on Saturday to
protest the team's recent results.
Fans surrounded the players' cars as they arrived at the
training ground and several were insulted, Brazilian media
reports said.