Late Ronaldinho penalty infuriates rivals Vasco
Reuters - Sunday 08 April 2012, 11:04
Furious Vasco da Gama players hounded
the referee off the field after Ronaldinho converted a stoppage
time penalty to give Flamengo a 2-1 win over their arch rivals
on Saturday night.
The referee needed police protection as he was surrounded by
ranting Vasco players following the final whistle and club
president Roberto Dinamite joined the protests at the end of the
game in Rio de Janeiro.
Players scuffled with police and stewards who formed a ring
around the referee, abandoning their protests after the
beleaguered official had been led away.
"We were robbed and it always happens against Flamengo,"
said Vasco president Roberto, who was angry after Vasco had a
penalty appeal turned down in the 78th minute.
Vasco coach Cristovao Borges said the official was to blame
for the rowdy scenes.
"Normally I don't talk about the referee's performance. But
when he makes repeated mistakes, the players, no matter how
balanced and experienced that they are, lose their patience," he
said.
Photographs showed broken plastic seats on the running track
around the pitch at the Engenhao stadium. Media reports said
around 70 seats were vandalised by Vasco fans.
The win in the second stage of the Carioca championship
relieved the pressure on Ronaldinho and Flamengo after their
shock Libertadores Cup defeat away to Ecuadorean side Emelec in
midweek.
The team were ushered out of a side entrance at Rio de
Janeiro airport on their return to Brazil after hearing that a
group of fans planned to pelt them with eggs and popcorn.
Ronaldinho has been jeered in recent games and the former AC
Milan and Barcelona player added to speculation that he could be
on his way out of the club with his post-match comments.
"Ever since I arrived here, I've been treated with affection
and that's how I intend to leave here, through the front door,"
he told reporters.