Violence erupts at top-flight football match as chair thrown at fans in chaotic scenes
Violent scenes broke out during a top-flight match in Brazil, with one furious fan launching a chair at an opposing supporter. The contest between Cruzeiro and Flamengo was marred by violence, with security officials forced to intervene.
Flamengo ran out winners, securing their second victory of the new season. Striker Pedro opened the scoring for Fla, before Jorge Carrascal ensured the three points would be staying in Rio de Janeiro with the second goal for the hosts in injury time.
It's another disappointing result for Cruzeiro, who are now winless in their opening five games of the new season. It's in sharp contrast to their form from last season, given they ended the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A campaign in third.
Such was the frustration towards their team, the Cruzeiro fans could be heard hurling abuse at the players and the manager at the full-time whistle. But their ire didn't stop there, with the Fla fans also on the receiving end of a mouthful.
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One fan took it a step further though, as social media footage shows them hurling a chair from the away section into the home end. As well as the unusual projectile, bottles and other missiles were also seen being exchanged between the two fans.
Tensions were already high as Cruzeiro fans had been protesting against former manager Leonardo Jardim, who left the club at the back end of 2025. He recently took charge at Flamengo following the untimely sacking of ex-Chelsea and Atletico Madrid ace Felipe Luis.
But it isn't the first time Cruzeiro have made headlines this week, given they were one of the sides involved in a mass brawl that saw 23 players sent off. A fight broke out between players from Cruzeiro and rivals Atletico Mineiro, with the 23 red cards breaking a record for the number of sending offs in a single match.
In a statement posted on social media, Atlético said: "At the end of the match played this Sunday at Mineirao Stadium, valid for the final of the Campeonato Mineiro, regrettable scenes of mutual aggression involving athletes on the field were recorded.
"The Club reaffirms its commitment to respect, to fair play, and to the values that should guide the sport. Internally, we will take the necessary measures to ensure that situations like this do not repeat."