War in Copacabana: violence spoils prelude to Copa Libertadores final between Fluminense and Boca Juniors

This Saturday, Fluminense and Boca Juniors will decide the winner of the Copa Libertadores. This is what we call the Single Final, the format which has defined the continental champion since 2019. Coincidentally, it will be played in Rio de Janeiro, home base of the Brazilian team, which is also one of the most popular in the city and in Brazil. .

The violence took over the anticipation of the event. Fluo supporters besieged those of the xeneize team, who traveled in large numbers to accompany Jorge Almirón’s team . The profile of the barristas of the trans-Andean team is well known, so added to the aggressiveness of the local team, the result was expected: clashes as much as possible. Even in the most touristy areas of the city.

The most serious events took place in the Copacabana area, the city’s emblematic spa. There, literally, the Fluminense supporters They ambushed the trans-Andean populations, despite the fact that the local police had designed a security plan, precisely to avoid clashes. .

Conmebol had set up a Fan Zone, like the World Cup regarding the supporters of the Argentine team. Precisely there, they were approached and attacked by locals. . There was racing and theft until the special forces of the Brazilian police managed to restore order, although they used the greatest energy to suppress the Argentines.

“The Boca people were in the Fan Zone. And it came as a demonstration from the people of Fluminense. They began to attack them, as if to expel them. Police fired tear gas and pepper spray. It appears there are two people injured. And there is an Argentine detainee for throwing a bottle,” said Ana Sarrabayrouse, Argentine consul in Rio de Janeiro, according to the trans-Andean newspaper Olé.

Conmebol asks supporters of both teams to have peace of mind. Via his Twitter account he released a statement. “CONMEBOL calls on Boca Juniors and Fluminense supporters to share together the moments of joy and celebration that our football offers us. The values ​​of sport that fascinate us the most must inspire behaviors of peace and harmony. This is why we reject acts of violence and racism that could occur in the context of this final decision. », establishes the entity chaired by Alejandro Domínguez.

However, the peace that the entity that governs South American football aspires to is seriously threatened, since At this time, we are awaiting the arrival of the bulk of La 12, the hardest core of the xeneize bar, whose main leaders have announced that they will accompany their team .

In addition, the arrival of many supporters is expected at the Maracaná with the hope of seeing Boca become continental champions again. To make matters worse, supporters of Flamengo and Vasco da Gama, rivals of Fluminense, have expressed their support for the Argentines, which can translate into “reinforcement” in the event of possible attacks. .