Futsal might be a great way to help players improve their soccer skills, but as this video from last Tuesday shows, it's just as prone to get ruined by idiots as any other sport.
According to FourFourTwo, a group of torcidas organizadas -- basically, a gang of knuckleheads dressed as fans -- sparked a brawl at the São Paulo futsal championship in Brazil, throwing chairs, rushing the court and frightening families who just came to watch the big game. Police fought them off, but the second half will have to be replayed behind closed doors.
The video might remind some of the infamous Pistons-Pacers brawl, but this was worse, because it wasn't just one idiot throwing a beer at another one. It was an entire gang starting a riot because they could. It's more reminiscient of the English hooligan firms of the 80s than any actual futsal match. This sport didn't deserve that.
(H/T: The Offside)
Latest Soccer Riot Photos
Latest Soccer Riot Photos
Latest Soccer Riot Photos
Helmeted anti-riot policemen clash with Slavia Prague soccer fans during the Czech soccer league match Slavia Prague vs. Sparta Prague on March 31, 2008 at Rosicky Stadium.The match ended 1-1. AFP PHOTO / MICHAL CIZEK (Photo credit should read MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Slavia Prague fans take cover as maroons (grenades that generate noise) are thrown at them by riot police during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek (CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
Slavia Prague fans take cover as maroons (grenades that generate noise) are thrown at them by riot police during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek (CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
Sparta Prague fans cover their ears against maroons (grenades that generate noise) thrown at them by riot police during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek(CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
Czech Slavia Prague fans try to protect themselves against maroons (grenades that generate noise) and tear gas thrown at them by riot police during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek(CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
Czech Slavia Prague fans carry an injured fan in front of riot police during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek(CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
Anti riot policemen look at Slavia Prague soccer fans who help a young woman after fans became violent during the Czech soccer league match Slavia Prague vs. Sparta Prague, on March 31, 2008 at Rosicky Stadium. The match ended 1-1. AFP PHOTO / MICHAL CIZEK (Photo credit should read MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Fans of Slavia Prague soccer team take cover before riot police fire stun grenades during the Czech soccer league match, Slavia Prague vs. Sparta Prague, on March 31, 2008, at Rosicky Stadium. The match ended 1-1. AFP PHOTO / MICHAL CIZEK (Photo credit should read MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Slavia Prague fans cover their ears against maroons (grenades that generate noise) thrown at them by riot police during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek (CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
A riot policeman stops a fan during the Czech league soccer match between Slavia and Sparta at Strahov stadium in Prague March 31, 2008. REUTERS/Petr Josek(CZECH REPUBLIC)
Reuters
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-05-2008 @ 9:16PM
Big Sam said...
The "sport" didn't deserve that???
First and last... it's not a sport.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:17AM
seen one eat a rocking chair one time said...
Sissy Ass Slap Fight
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 7:39AM
averagejoe said...
GANG members watching a GAME being played by WAY overpaid, 'legitimate, "professional" ' GANGS start a riot 'just because they could'??
Why am I suprised?? NOT!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 7:46AM
laprns said...
Perhaps there should be some international law that makes it legal to shoot known gang members. Lord knows they shoot anyone and everyone they shoot when they are bored or angry. Declare open season on gang members and make it a new olympic event!
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 7:51AM
xev said...
use the video tape of such incidents and prosicute the scum with a real sentance and not just a fine and some community service and i mean jail time 6 real months (not a sentance of 6 months and out in 1 month then the community service and fine)this crap has to stop they and their freinds just go home and watch their 15 minuts of fame and laugh at the disrespect to others they purpitrait and this leads to more of the same sick actions by others
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 8:02AM
trat said...
Its only Soccer...........The sport of Thugs......whata ya expect
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 9:09AM
enuffalready said...
welcome to the JUNGLE................
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 9:14AM
Gina said...
And, this is the problem with people who let their emotions rule their thinking...i.e. fanatics, whether it be in sports, terrorism, politics, or whatever. No self-control and very primal. Ugh...we live in the 21st century. Can't people learn to vent their grievances without violence??? What the heck good does it do?? Everyone needs anger management classes...and I mean EVERYONE!!
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 9:36AM
garlicbreath said...
ALL SPORTS FANS LACK REASONING AND LOGIC.THEY DON'T KNOW IT'S A "SPORT".THE BIGGER THE FAN THE SMALLER THE BRAIN.CSCHEC OR BRAZIL, NO DIFF.ITHOUGHT EUROS HAD A SMALL MEASURE OF SELF CONTROL.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 9:43AM
Sam said...
In our country it's not so much the fans that fight in the stand but the ball players espessially in baseball where these dip-shits all come out on the field to supposely try to break up a fight among their teammates.Real good role models for our young one's. It seems baseball union has more rights then anyone on earth. And yes I am a union man...
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 9:43AM
Buster said...
Good Lord, soccer is more boring than a baseball rain delay, no wonder the fans riot.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:03AM
geoduck said...
I thought a riot was suposed to be the last part of a soccer game! They never report, there was no riot this time!
Even if it is just a kids game played by adults.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:19AM
BikinGail said...
You know, as a woman I see this is darn scary. These guys are violent, and the younger men are the worst. We watch this crap and wonder at what is to become of civilization.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:36AM
mike Hunt said...
MACHISMO GONE WILD !
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:46AM
art said...
why theya usea basket nota neba
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:42AM
art said...
whasta diffiernca betweena black or blanco huh?
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 10:56AM
Andy said...
Looks like a fun time, wish I had been there.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 11:14AM
J. Barfalo said...
And you want us to allow these pieces of crap Hispanics across our borders to feed off our welfare system, pillage, rape and rob our citizens? Give me a break. Problem was at the riot, the police didn't shoot their guns soon enough.
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 11:35AM
marcus said...
shock collars for every fan, lots of rubber bullets too. Much as I hate rooting for the cops, I sure as hell was. First wave of cops have batons, maybe the second wave need machetes. latin countries will never put a man on the moon,best that we lower our expectations
Reply
4-06-2008 @ 11:47AM
michyg said...
Futsal is a great sport which helps Futbol players to improve on their skills in a more tactical way due to the fact that it is a lot faster than playing on natural grass. It is a shame that people -no matter who they are- believe that they have the right to ruin these games for the players and for the fans. I have been to Argentina and seen Boca games and so forth and I was fortunate to go to a game where the worst thing that happened was jumping the fence onto the field. It is WONDERFUL to show passion for your team..but all in due respect for the opposition. I understand this was a gang riot, in this case, there is not much that could have been done. Yet again it is a shame that families could not go and enjoy a Futsal game and have a nice time without having to look over their sholders for danger.
Reply