Celebrations of Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores victory came to an abrupt end in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, when clashes erupted between a group of supporters and police.
Tens of thousands of supporters wearing their team’s black-and-red jerseys poured into the streets of the city’s historic centre in the morning to welcome Flamengo players.
For hours, the flood of supporters, including many families and children, celebrated peacefully, waving flags and setting off fireworks as the Copa Libertadores winners rode through the streets in an open-top bus.
But around 4.30pm, in the final stretch of the festivities, TV images showed thick white smoke coming out of the parade, which quickly dispersed the nearby crowd.
Clashes followed, with a group of supporters throwing rocks, beer bottles and other objects at police. The disturbances later eased.
The team’s victory over the Argentinian side River Plate has lifted the spirits of Brazilians after a period of economic stagnation and political infighting.
That’s especially true in Rio, home of the country’s largest club. They had not won the Copa in 38 years, while their Brazilian rivals had won five of the previous 10 competitions.
Meanwhile, Flamengo completed a rare double on Sunday when they secured the Brazilian league title after closest challengers Palmeiras lost 2-1 at home to Gremio.
The result leaves Flamengo on an unassailable 13 points ahead of Palmeiras with four games of the Serie A season remaining.
It is the seventh league title for the Rio de Janeiro club and completes a historic weekend.
It is the first time that a Brazilian team has won both the league and the Libertadores in the same year since Pele’s Santos achieved the same feat in 1963.
