Beachgoers in Rio de Janeiro were shocked by the sudden appearance of heavily armed police on Thursday 2 November, amid a possible clash between rival football fans.

That afternoon there was trouble between fans of local team Fluminense and visiting fans of Argentinian side Boca.

Amid what was said to be an ambush of Boca fans by Fluminense fans on Copacabana beach, Rio police officers fired tear gas and hit some of those there with batons, before making a number of arrests.

"We were calm after making a banner, when many Fluminense fans arrived running towards the beach," Felipe Rodrigues, a Brazilian who accompanied the Argentine party, told local media outlet Telam.

According to Rio police, an Argentinian was arrested after kicking the dog of a Brazilian who was on the beach and throwing a bottle at police. One person also accused him of committing racist insults.

The incident happened soon after 5pm local time.

This is the second episode of similar violence in fewer than three days.

The last was on Tuesday, when a male and a female Boca fan were attacked by a group of Fluminense fans, an episode for which three Brazilians were arrested.

This footage was filmed and produced 2 November 2023.

This Thursday afternoon serious incidents between Fluminense and Boca fans were recorded in Copacabana, a situation that led to a repressive action by the Rio de Janeiro police.

Rio de Janeiro police fired tear gas into the arena to stop the ambush that according to Boca fans were set by Fluminense fans, who are locals.

"We were calm after making a banner and many Fluminense fans arrived running towards the beach," Felipe Rodrigues, a Brazilian who accompanied the Argentine party, told Telam.

According to Rio police, an Argentine was arrested after kicking the dog of a Brazilian who was on the beach and throwing a bottle at the police. One person accused him of committing racist insults.

The police shock troops intervened to clear the fans after 5 p.m. on the traditional Carioca beach.

This is the second episode of violence in less than three days since Tuesday when a man and a woman Boca fans were attacked by members of a faction of Fluminense fans, an episode for which three Brazilians were arrested.

SHOTLIST:
1. Video of police repressing Boca supporters on Rio de Janeiro's beach;
2. Video of the police arresting a Boca supporter;
3. Video of riots in Rio de Janeiro.