Soccer fans in Brazil rioted in the streets, setting cars and buses on fire after the Santos Football Club was relegated Wednesday for the first time in its 111-year history
Santos — the team of legendary player Pelé who died last year — lost its home game to Fortaleza 1 to 2 and was demoted to the second-tier level of Brazil’s domestic leagues after playing five consecutive games without a victory.
The upset sent multiple Santos players to their knees in tears on the field with fans in the bleachers shedding tears as well, according to footage of the match
But the sadness quickly escalated into angry violence.
Brazilian military police had to step in to protect the players and refs as fans began throwing flares, fireworks and other objects onto the field, CBS Sports reported.
Some fans even tried to rush the playing field, forcing the athletes to run to the locker rooms to take cover.
Cops in riot gear responded to the wild scene, where they deployed pepper spray and stun grenades to try to control the crowds.
Footage of the aftermath shows the burnt-out metal frames of at least three buses parked on a road, with a fire still going near the bottom of one of the vehicles. One video shows a line of officers with riot shields shooting off flares as they block a street.
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