Chaos in Santos: Buses and Vehicles Burned After Relegation in the Brasileirão
The Santos team lost to Fortaleza, which resulted in their relegation to Series B, the second division of the country's main championship. The situation became tense, with police using stun bombs and pepper gas to contain the fans. The frustration of some fans ended in acts of vandalism, including attacks on trash cans, signs, buses, cars and even homes.
Dodô cries after the defeat that relegated Santos for the first time in history to the second division of the Brazilian Championship - Photo Reproduction/Reinaldo Campos/Futura Press
The city of Santos experienced moments of tension and violence on Thursday night (06), after the confirmation of Santos Futebol Clube's relegation to the second division of the Brazilian Championship. Fans' frustration turned into chaos, resulting in acts of vandalism, vehicle fires and riots in the streets around the Vila Belmiro stadium. The climate of dissatisfaction among Santos fans reached its peak when the team was unable to avoid defeat by 2 to 1 to Fortaleza.
Match
Santos started at a disadvantage with a goal from Marinho, ironically a former player of the club, so the Santos team managed to draw in the second half with Messias. However, they conceded the second goal in stoppage time, scored by Lucero. Vasco's 2-1 victories against Red Bull Bragantino and Bahia's 4-1 victory over Atlético-MG contributed to Peixe's downfall.
The atmosphere was already tense, with the fans divided between the Santos game and the Vasco and Bahia, culminating in a pitch invasion and bomb throwing after Fortaleza's second goal, which resulted in an unprecedented relegation in 111 years. With the result, Santos ended up in 17th place in the Brazilian Championship, with 43 points. Fortaleza, which filled the table, was in 10th place, with 54 points.
Incidents of Violence: Buses and Vehicles Set on Fire
Even before the final whistle of the match, groups of excited fans began throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and other objects at the stadium.Caldeira Urban Stadium and police officers who were in the region, later carrying out scenes of violence in the streets close to the stadium. Buses and vehicles were the target of acts of vandalism, with some being set on fire amid the chaos.
Municipal buses were set on fire after Santos' relegation in Series B - Photo Reproduction/Redes Sociais
The police then responded with the use of stun bombs and pepper gas, seeking to control the situation. Helicopters and Military Police cavalry were mobilized to reinforce security. A video shows fans organizing against police forces in front of a city hospital located close to the stadium. In addition, garbage containers, signs and even homes were targets of attacks.
The players remained seated for a few minutes in the central circle of the pitch, desolate as they were insulted, and then quickly left the field, facing objects thrown from the stands, including chairs. Some fans who were leaving the venue peacefully were also affected by the confusion, mainly due to the use of stun bombs and pepper gas used to disperse the protesters and restore order to the streets. Among these individuals is Lima, a former player who shared the field with Pelé in the 1960s. In total, six buses, six cars and an ambulance were set on fire.
