Lionel Messi says Brazil-Argentina match ‘could end in tragedy’ after crowd riot at Maracana Stadium

Argentina captain Lionel Messi said Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Brazil “could end in tragedy” after a crowd riot at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.

Brazil captain Marquinhos added it was a “very horrific situation”, with match photos and videos on social media appearing to show police officers armed with batons clashing with supporters in the stands.

Kick-off was scheduled to kick off at 9:30 pm local time on Tuesday, with Messi and other Argentine players heading to the stands to chat with fans before returning to the dressing room. The Argentinian players then re-entered the game, nearly half an hour late.

“We saw how they hit the people and repressed the people again,” Messi said via Reuters.

“This has already happened in the Copa Libertadores final (clashes between Boca Juniors and Fluminense supporters and Maracana police). “We went to the dressing room because it was The best way to calm things down or it could end in tragedy. “

Some fans appeared to have been injured in the crowd disturbance.

“We are worried about the panicked families, women and children in the stands,” Marquinhos said.

“On the pitch we struggled to understand what was happening, it was a very scary situation.”

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement on the incident at Maracanã that the standard for such matches organized by FIFA and CONMEBOL is for mixed spectators.

“It needs to be clarified that the organization and planning of this match was carried out carefully and strategically by the Brazilian Football Confederation, together with and in constant dialogue with all competent public institutions, especially the Carabinieri of the State of Rio de Janeiro,” CBF said.

“All plans for the match, especially operational and security plans, were discussed with the Rio de Janeiro public authorities in meetings between the parties.

“The CBF therefore reiterates that the match operations, security and operational plans approved by the RJ Gendarmerie and other authorities are strictly adhered to.”

Col. Wagner Ferreira, commander of the stadium’s special security unit, criticized the decision to allow supporters to mix.

“Normally, every game has an away fan zone and a home fan zone,” he told Brazilian television channel SporTV. “Today, I think the biggest issue for personal and public safety is the way the tickets are sold, with all the tickets being mixed together around the Maracanã.”

He also spoke about the police being more violent towards Argentinian fans: “I believe that every action corresponds to a reaction. Historically there have been more serious confrontations between certain fans and security forces. I think this is the reason.

“It was necessary to use more and more force. Initially, we used verbal warnings. Later, we had to use batons. Non-lethal bullets, rubber bullets were not used. We did not use tear gas. “We are very technical and do stadiums Things the police know how to do. “

Argentina won 1-0 thanks to Nicolas Otamendi’s header in the 63rd minute. Brazil midfielder Joelinton was sent off with nine minutes remaining as his side failed to equalize to avoid a third successive defeat that would leave them top of the 10-team South American Football World Cup qualifying group for 2026. Ranked sixth on the team.

“Obviously, at the beginning (of the game) it was bad because we saw how they beat people,” Messi added.

“You think about the family, you think about the people there, they don’t know what’s going on and we were more concerned about that than playing the game. The game was secondary at that time.

“After that, I think winning this game like this is one of the most important wins this team has ever had. “It’s great to be able to win in Brazil because they’ve historically always been good at home. “

FIFA has been contacted for comment.

(Photo: Wagner Meyer/Getty Images)