Clash between Boca and Fluminense supporters ahead of the Copa Libertadores final

Argentinian giants Boca Juniors take on Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday with the Brazilian side aiming to win South America's top club prize for the first time. Fluminense have the advantage of playing at the 78,000-capacity Maracana, their home ground in Rio de Janeiro and the spiritual home of Brazilian football. Boca are aiming to join record-holders Independiente on seven Libertadores titles, while Fluminense will be playing in the final for just the second time. But, the prelude to the game has not been good at all.

Reports from Rio say that two sets of supporters clashed on the beach in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday which saw a fight break out featuring dozens of people. Boca fans who arrived from Argentina, many of them with wives and kids, settled themselves on the famous Copacabana beach. According to ‘Loda Valley News’ the atmosphere at the beach, being used as a 'fan zone', was friendly before the altercation, with police having to get involved. Another Boca fan was reportedly arrested for kicking a dog and trying to attack another man.

The executives of Boca Juniors approached Conmebol with a request for more security for their fans, to which they replied with additional private security because they noticed that the local police do not comply with the regulations. The highest authorities of the Argentine Police arrived in Rio de Janeiro in order to help their colleagues and prevent further escalation.

“CONMEBOL calls on the fans of Boca and Fluminense to share together the moments of joy and celebration that our football gives us. The values ​​of the sport that we are most passionate about must inspire behaviors of peace and harmony. For this reason, we repudiate the acts of violence and racism that may occur within the framework of this final” reads the statement.