Lionel Messi hits out at Brazil police after Argentina fans injured in violence
Lionel Messi has accused Brazilian police of “repressing” the Argentina fans with unnecessary violence after two were seriously injured at the Maracana.
Argentina inflicted Brazil’s first-ever World Cup qualifier defeat on home soil as Nicolas Otamendi’s header gave them an historic 1-0 win on Wednesday. But the victory was marred by shocking scenes of violence in the stands in Rio de Janeiro as police and security clashed with away supporters.
Messi led his players off the pitch in protest, refusing to even begin the game until peace had been restored in the away end. Footage showed two fans having to be stretchered away, one with blood pouring from his head, after police attacked using batons following trouble between the two sets of supporters during the national anthems.
Messi and his team-mates went over to the stands to appeal for calm before the Argentina captain led his players down the tunnel. After a delay, the match kicked off, allowing his side to pick up a famous win.
But, speaking after the win, Messi was quick to slam the policing, referring to the way Boca Juniors supporters were treated in the Copa Libertadores finale against Fluminense at the start of the month.
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"We saw how the police were hitting people, also with some of our families here. It also happened in the [Copa] Libertadores final, again repressing the people,” he told TyC Sports. "They are more focused on that than on playing the game. We are a family. We decided to play to make the situation more calm."
Violence reportedly broke out after Argentina fans booed the Brazilian national anthem, prompting a reaction from home supporters, who tore out seats to throw at their rivals. Police and security staff reacted by going in heavy handed with batons to push back the Argentina fans.
Lionel Messi and his team-mates tried to stop the violence before kick-off (Wagner Meier/Getty Images)Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez tried to jump into the stands to stop the attack, while his team-mates Cristian Romero, Giovanni Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez helped people with children escape the barrage. One fan was seen lying on the ground with blood pouring down his face from a wound on his head, while another was stretchered off in a neck brace.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was not involved in the game due to injury, but was watching the violence from home. He wrote on Instagram : "This police is a shame!!! How can this be possible?? Until when?? Always the same!!!"
One Argentina fan was stretchered out in a neck brace (Satiro Sodré/Getty Images)The atmosphere in the stadium spilled onto the pitch at times during the game and Newcastle midfielder Joelinton was sent off late on for a foul on Rodrigo De Paul. But in a game lacking quality, it was Otamendi’s powerful header from a corner which won it.
“This group continues to make history,” Messi added. “Although today was not the most important, it was very nice. We needed this win after the loss against Uruguay. We knew it was going to be a tough match, similar to the Copa America final. They pressed a lot, they pressured us high and it was difficult for us to have possession for a long time. These matches are defined by details.”
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