The Copa Libertadores final this year was eventually going to be a heated affair as teams from rival nations were set to take part in the match. Brazil’s Fluminese is set to take on Argentina’s Boca Juniors for the biggest club prize in South American soccer.
The final is set to take place in Brazil and Boca Juniors fans have travelled in the hope of seeing their team lift the trophy but a great tragedy followed shortly. At the Copacabana beach, a brawl took place between the sets of two fans. The beach was allocated as a fan zone.
🚨😳 The Brazilian police liberating the area so that Fluminense fans can attack Boca Juniors fans. @gravep pic.twitter.com/6Nevc8Z64W
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 2, 2023
Boca Juniors fans have been accused of throwing bottles towards the police and also trying to kick a dog. Soon after that Fluminese ultras ambushed the Boca Juniors fans and local police were called in to control the current state of the situation. Boca Juniors fans who failed to leave the scene were beaten and even shot by the Rio Police.
Video of the police shooting the Boca Juniors fan has leaked online and fans are outrageous by the behaviour of the authorities. Fans have called out the police saying “Brazilian cops beating Argentinians! I would have never seen it coming”. “Idk how some of you guys dare to go to Rio. I would never”, “Pieces of shit, always the same”.
Shortly after the incident Conmebol authorities condemned the incident and said that they would repudiate any acts of violence or racism that take place in the context of the final. Currently, two Argentine tourists and one Brazilian man have been taken into police custody.
History of violence between Brazilians and Argentinians
Two of the biggest nations in South American soccer, Brazil and Argentina are sworn enemies. They have faced each other multiple times in major competitions most commonly in the Copa America. The rivalry is not restricted to national football as it extends to club football as well.
Argentina vs Brazil in Copa America
*1937 🇦🇷*
*1937 🇦🇷*
*1942 🇦🇷*
*1945 🇦🇷*
*1946 🇦🇷*
*1956 🇧🇷*
*1957 🇦🇷*
*1959 🇦🇷*
*1959 ⛔️*
*1963 🇧🇷*
*1975 🇧🇷*
*1975 🇧🇷*
*1979 ⛔️*
*1979 🇧🇷*
*1983 ⛔️*
*1983 🇦🇷*
*1989 🇧🇷*
*1991 🇦🇷*
*1993 🇦🇷*
*1995 🇧🇷*
*1999 🇧🇷*
*2004 🇧🇷*
*2007 🇧🇷*— Mohammed S. Al Malik (@MS_Aalmalik) June 29, 2019
Brazilian and Argentinian clubs often face each other in the Copa Libertadores which also sparks fights between the two fanbases. Back during the 2014 World Cup police authorities from Brazil prepared themselves for Argentine hooligans who could cause chaos during the competition.
The Argentine group named ‘Barras bravas’, is notorious for picking up fights and also has a history of violence during the World Cup as back in 1986, they stabbed several English Fans.
Bad scenes in Rio de Janeiro, Boca Juniors fans were having a fun time with their families at the beach in fre zone and then out of nowhere Fluminense fans ambushed and attacked them.
The Brazilian police are letting Fluminense fans do whatever they want pic.twitter.com/ooJMOn0K9u
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 2, 2023
The two national teams also did not play against each other for 10 years after a fight that broke out in 1946. Residents of the two countries hate each other from every soccer and geopolitical standpoint.
Argentina fans have been termed as ‘Hooligans’ several times by the Brazilians. And in the recent event that happened in Copacabana Beach is also said to have been started by an Argentine.