RIO DE JANEIRO, April 29 (Reuters) - Police used teargas to disperse angry fans who hurled bottles and stones when they were unable to get tickets for Sunday's Paulista championship final on Tuesday.
Palmeiras supporters fought among themselves and with riot
police when tickets for the game against Ponte Preta sold out
while thousands of fans were still queueing, witnesses and media
reports said.
Fans had waited all night, forming a circle right around the
Palestra Italia Stadium in Sao Paulo.
During the night, the queueing was good-natured with groups
having barbecues and playing football, but the mood turned when
tickets went on sale in the morning.
Fans complained that some people had tried to jump the queue
by pretending to be injured or by carrying small children.
There were also complaints that pickpockets were taking
advantage of the crush while some people were treated for heat
exhaustion.
Palmeiras, whose last major title was the Libertadores Cup
in 1999, lead 1-0 from the first leg.
