Santos vs Corinthians called off as fans throw ROCKETS onto the pitch
Derby clash between Santos and Corinthians called off as home fans throw ROCKETS onto the pitch in protest of their side’s poor performance in 2-0 Brazilian Serie A defeat
- Corinthians were set to triumph in the Classico Alvinegro after two early goals
- Fans chanted ‘team without shame’ at the Santos players before throwing flares
- Santos currently sit 13th in the Serie A table and are without a win since mid May
A derby clash between Brazilian Serie A rivals Santos and Corinthians was called off after Santos fans threw rockets and fireworks onto the pitch in protest of their side’s poor performance.
The loathed Sao Paulo rivals were playing against one another in the Classico Alvinegro, and Cortinthians held a 2-0 lead before the game was called to a halt in the 88th minute.
Yuri Alberto opened the scoring in the 19th minute to end the striker’s nearly two-month goal drought, and Santos’ Joao Lucas scored an own goal less than ten minutes later, all but ensuring Corinthians were fated to leave Estadio Urbano Caldeira with all three points.
In the 86th minute, however, Santos fans took matters into their own hands, and began throwing flares and rockets onto the pitch in the direction of Corinthians’ goalkeeper Cassio, who had to sprint off his line to avoid being hit by a missile.
Reports via ESPN Brasil claimed that supporters chanted ‘team without shame’ at their side whilst raining rockets in the direction of the Corinthians’ penalty area.
A derby clash between Santos and Corinthians was called off after rockets were flung onto the pitch in protest
The game was halted in the 85th minute before the decision was taken to ensure player safety
Players on the pitch then threatened to walk off in protest of the disruption, but the referee Leandro Vuaden asked both teams to wait before returning to the dressing rooms.
Ringed by security, the players waited in the centre of the pitch for the referee’s final decision, which saw Vuaden call off the fixture several minutes later.
Santos’ players were then escorted off the pitch by the police to further ensure their safety.
Santos players were heavily protected on the pitch by a ring of security before the match was called off
15th-placed Corinthians were given a brief reprieve from relegation fears after away win
The president of Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice Jose Perdiz de Jesus later confirmed that the league would agree to the request made that Santos’ next home match should be played behind closed doors.
Santos are due to face Flamengo on Sunday as they bid to improve their standings in Serie A.
The Sao Paolo side currently sit 13th in the table, and just five points above the relegation places.
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