FIFA Issues Statement on World Cup Security Breach: Chile Fans Break Into Maracana Stadium
FIFA have issued an official statement on their website about an incident that occurred prior to the Group B match between Spain and Chile wherein a security breach was reported at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Chilean fans reportedly broke down a barrier and stormed into the stadium. Once inside, the hooligans wreaked havoc upon the press room and tore down a wall and smashed a glass door.
The individuals then rushed through the corridors before staging a sit-in at the press room which they have damaged. The chaos seems to have arisen from the desperation of the fans to watch the game that was about to take place between their home team and the defending champions. It is undetermined whether there was an absence of tickets for sale or if the fans simply could not afford to buy them.
"Ahead of the Spain-Chile match at the Maracana, a group of individuals without tickets violently forced entry into the stadium, breaking fences and overrunning security.
They were contained by the security and did not make it to the seats. The situation was brought under control quickly and at least 85 intruders were detained according to the military police of Rio de Janeiro.
The organisers of the FIFA World CupTM condemn these acts of violence and we will communicate further information and measures to be taken in due course. For further details on the detained persons please contact the local security authorities of Rio de Janeiro."
The incident did not cause any disruption in the pre-match preparations for both teams nor were there any other delays in proceedings before kickoff and during the match.
There are no reports of serious injuries apart from one Chilean woman who was taken away in a wheelchair. The total extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
A group of fans also broke into a stadium ahead of the Argentna match against Bosmia. The small braches in security have all been contained but concers are being raised about the security measures that are in place as the tournament progresses to more crucial matches.
