SAO PAULO -- Twenty-six football fans, mostly Chileans, were arrested at Arena Corinthians, Brazilian police said on Thursday.
At least seven people were injured and four people were taken to hospitals on Wednesday as fans damaged seats and charged at police during the Copa Sudamericana playoff between Corinthians and Universidad de Chile. Corinthians won 2-0.
Que momento pic.twitter.com/OZLct8Al87
- Mauro Cezar (@MauroCezarESPN) April 6, 2017
According to police, five leaders of a Universidad de Chile fan group removed 218 seats before the match and threw them at officers. Those five were arrested during half-time, but other fans then reacted against police and were also arrested.
Sao Paulo Police Lt. Ailton Pereira Alves said each of the suspects was identified by video.
Corinthians vai cobrar La U por danos à Arena; 26 chilenos são presos https://t.co/h4amYAgeP8 pic.twitter.com/SRjNQHv5iH
- Corinthians - LANCE! (@lance_timao) April 6, 2017
"During half-time they also broke a ticket office and the bathroom of the visiting fans. They will be charged and held accountable for that they did," Alves said.
Corinthians said they will charge Universidad de Chile for the damages, and seek compensation through CONMEBOL.
Universidad de Chile officials did not comment.
