Three Uruguayan football fans detained after brawl

The Court for Football Fans and Large-Scale Events of Rio de Janeiro ruled the preventive detention (no fixed date of release) of three of the 14 Uruguayan nationals arrested Wednesday (Apr. 3) after a brawl with Flamengo supporters in southern Rio. Fans of Flamengo and Uruguay’s Peñarol clashed yesterday afternoon (3) before the match between the two teams, held as part of the first stage of Conmebol Libertadores.

The hearing with the fourteen Peñarol fans lasted until 6:30 pm this morning (4), and was attended by Uruguayan Consul Jorge Luis Pouy.

Gianfranco Steffano, Dennis Oscar Viega Gonzalez, and Fernando Segundo Carreño Tucce were charged with physical injury with risk of death.

The other 11, detained in flagrante delicto, were taken out of the stadium for brawling and violent behavior.

Violence

The football fans were detained on the promenade of Leme beach, in southern Rio, after attacking a bus with Flamengo supporters who had come from the neighboring state of Espírito Santo.

The Peñarol fans, who were on two Peñarol buses, were detained by military police agents and sat down on the promenade. A brawl ensued, and a Uruguayan was surrounded by Flamengo fans and attacked with kicks and a wooden club.

During the fight, Flamengo fan Roberto Almeida was severely wounded in the head and taken to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital.