RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 11 - Dozens of football fans were injured in a crush at the stadium where Brazil were training for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, Brazilian media said on Tuesday.
The Globonews cable television channel put the initial injury toll at about 100, including children.
Television pictures showed chaotic scenes outside the Mangueirao stadium, in the northern city of Belem, with desperate fans running and screaming.
Reports said the stadium was already full an hour before the practice was due to start when angry fans, who had been unable to get in, jumped over fences or forced open the gates.
World champions Brazil routinely attract thousands of fans to watch them practice before home internationals and get a rare glimpse of their top players, who are all based in Europe.
Police chief Roberto Damaceno was quoted as saying the stadium’s capacity was about 45,000, although there may have been 55,000 inside and 15,000 outside unable to get in.
Despite the scenes outside, the team’s training went ahead as planned. The sessions are popular with ordinary Brazilians who cannot afford tickets to international matches.
Brazil have already qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany while Venezuela have been eliminated.