Brazilian derby cancelled after Gremio’s team bus was attacked

Daniel Brown

One player was treated for cerebral concussion and cranial trauma

The highly-anticipated derby in Brazil between Gremio and city rivals Internacional was cancelled prior to kick-off after the Gremio team bus was attacked as they approached the stadium.

The game between the two clubs, who are both located in Porto Alegre, is known as the Grenal, but the fixture at Inter’s Beira-Rio stadium had to be cancelled shortly before the match was due to start on Saturday after rocks smashed through windows on the bus and hurt players.

Gremio released a picture of midfielder Mathias Villasanti being taken to hospital in an ambulance, with several other photos showing smashed windows and a large rock which is said to have struck the Paraguayan player.

“After the cowardly and absurd aggression suffered by our delegation we have told the Gaucha Football Federation of our decision not to go ahead with the Grenal derby this Saturday,” Gremio said.

“In addition to the technical imbalance and the absence of sporting atmosphere this criminal act causes, Gremio’s decision also shows our repudiation of all kinds of violence.”

Diante de agressão covarde e absurda sofrida por nossa delegação, já comunicamos à Federação Gaúcha de Futebol nossa decisão de não disputar o clássico Grenal neste sábado. + pic.twitter.com/ez2QlXXLPA

— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) February 26, 2022

Internacional also condemned the violence and confirmed that two suspects had been arrested following the incident.

It was later revealed that Villasanti was being treated for cerebral concussion and cranial trauma. The 25-year-old was also treated for lacerations to the face and trauma in his hip.

While the player was said to have remained in hospital for further observation, no fractures were reported.

Nossa atenção neste momento está toda voltada ao atendimento do atleta Villasanti, atingido no rosto por uma pedra, a aos outros membros da delegação machucados. + pic.twitter.com/krbMoapiWi

— Grêmio FBPA (@Gremio) February 26, 2022

The incident comes just days after a bus carrying Brazilian team Bahia was attacked, with players hit before Thursday night’s match against Sampaio Correa in Salvador.

Additionally, the occurrence in Porto Alegre came on the same night that fans – carrying metal bars – invaded the pitch and attacked Parana players – which forced the suspension of their match against Uniao Beltrao in Curitiba.

With around five minutes remaining in the state championship match, Parana were trailing 3-1, which would have seen them drop to the second division.

However, footage shared on social media showed furious supporters attacking players, who, as reported by Reuters, responded with kung fu kicks before other fans invaded the pitch to join the fighting.

Both sets of players managed to escape to the dressing room as police fired percussion grenades to force fans off the pitch and back into the stands.

Related links: