(Reuters) – South American soccer’s governing body on Thursday condemned violence after three fans were arrested over a brawl in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the Copa Libertadores final between Argentina’s Boca Juniors and Brazil’s Fluminense.
According to the state’s Military Police, two Argentine fans and a Brazilian were arrested before the final on Saturday, which is considered South America’s equivalent to Europe’s Champions League.
“CONMEBOL calls on the fans of Boca Juniors and Fluminense to share together the moments of joy and celebration that our football gives us,” the organization said on its official X account.
“The values of the sport we are most passionate about should inspire peaceful and harmonious behavior. We therefore repudiate any acts of violence and racism that may occur in the context of the final.”
The police stated that local security agents intervened after witnessing fans clashing at the Copacabana beach fan fest.
“Officers immediately surrounded the area, brought the situation under control, and two men – Argentine tourists and a third man, Brazilian – were taken to the 12th Police Station,” the police said in a statement.
According to locals, Argentine visitors were responsible for the violence, while Boca fans informed Argentine media that Fluminense supporters arrived at the beach to carry out an organized attack, resulting in police firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
Argentine news outlet La Nacion reported that approximately 20,000 Boca fans are expected to attend the final at Maracana stadium on Saturday as their team aims to secure its seventh Libertadores title.
Meanwhile, Fluminense, playing on their home ground, aspire to win their first continental trophy after experiencing defeat against Ecuador’s Liga de Quito in the 2008 final.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by William Mallard)
