Penarol Fans Riot in Rio: A Night of Chaos and Arrests

Hundreds of Uruguayan club Penarol fans incited chaos on Rio's waterfront, setting fire to a bus and damaging kiosks. The unrest was sparked by an arrest of a fan, leading to a police crackdown with over 200 arrests. The incident heavily delayed the team’s arrival for the Libertadores Cup semi-final.

Chaos erupted in Rio de Janeiro as hundreds of Penarol fans, from Uruguay, wreaked havoc on the city's waterfront. The fans vandalized beach-side kiosks and set a bus ablaze, prompting swift action from riot police armed with batons. Governor Claudio Castro confirmed at least 200 arrests as police restored order after more than an hour of turbulence.

The trouble began when Uruguayan fans arrived by bus for the Libertadores Cup semi-final between Penarol and Rio's Botafogo. Tensions flared after a fan's arrest for a petty theft in the west-side Recreio Beach area. Enraged, the fans moved their destruction to the beach, fighting with locals, damaging parked vehicles, and setting motor-bikes on fire.

Rio Governor Castro emphasized on social media that such violence would not be tolerated. The unrest also delayed Penarol's team's arrival at the Nilton Santos stadium for two hours. Club president Ignacio Ruglio recounted the ordeal, critiquing the organizers, CONMEBOL, for their inadequate control, as the match was postponed by 15 minutes.

(With inputs from agencies.)