CHILDREN fled for safety as horrific rioting erupted when Brazilian side Cruzeiro were relegated for the first time in their 98-year history.
Riot cops deployed tear gas and fans fought with police as those in the stands ripped seats out and threw them at players.
A Cruzeiro fan is hauled away by riot policeCredit: AFP or licensors
Clashes broke out everywhere in the stadiumCredit: AFP or licensors
Children fled for safety as riot cops moved in and violence spreadCredit: AFP or licensors
Bloodied fans were carried out on stretchersCredit: AFP or licensors
One journalist said the scenes resembled a ‘war zone’Credit: AFP or licensors
The referee abandoned Cruzeiro’s clash against Palmeiras with five minutes to go shortly after the visitors’ second goal at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte.
Some fans had already evacuated the ground as ugly skirmishes and fireworks broke out in the terraces.
But shocking video footage showed a one man carrying what appeared to be his son to safety while others fiercely protected the most vulnerable from the violence.
Others were carried out on bloody stretchers with clashes taking place on the street outside the stadium too.
One journalist there said: “The environment outside of Mineirao is a war zone.
“Even some broadcast booths have seen projectiles fly by them.”
Goals from Ze Rafael and Dudu put Palmeiras 2-0 up before the game was called off.
Cruzeiro – who have had Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Maicon play for them in the past – went into the final fixture of the season knowing a win would save them so long as Ceara – the team two points above them – lost away to Botafogo.
But they managed a 1-1 draw meaning Cruzeiro go down to the second flight along with Chapacoense, CSA and Avai.
Cruzerio actually started the season well, winning the Mineiro state championship.
But the club was rocked in May by a corruption scandal and the knock on effect was huge, with the side hiring and firing four managers over the course of the season.
Fans ripped seats from the ground and threw them at playersCredit: Reuters
One fan pleads with riot police amid the violenceCredit: AFP or licensors
The shocking scenes continued outside the groundCredit: AFP or licensors
Police used tear gas to try to contain the situationCredit: Reuters
The assistant ref picks up a seat thrown onto the pitchCredit: Reuters
One fan launches a chair as another supporter behind him criesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
One fan sprints to safetyCredit: AFP or licensors
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
