Picture Credit: Twitter
Angry Gremio fans on Sunday night invaded the pitch following their side's 1-3 loss to Palmeiras in Brasileiro Serie A at Arena do Gremio. Notably, the fans rushed towards the VAR cockpit in an attempt to destroy it. They threw and broke everything they got before police arrived at the scene and cleared them off. Given that the violent act got recorded on camera, the video of the same is now going viral on social media.
The VAR (Video Assistant referee) had a big role to play in Gremio's loss to Palmeiras. While Diego Souza's goal in the 12th minute put them in the driver's seat, a penalty awarded to Palmeiras by VAR in the 45+1 minute saw them losing the advantage. Veiga then netted another from the spot in the 45+5 minute to help Palmeiras lead the game 2-1. Notably, the VAR later had also overturned a goal that would have allowed Gremio to make the game 2-2. This was the main reason for the fans running towards the VAR area to make the damage. Meanwhile, watching the spectators going violent, Gremio players rushed into the tunnel and dressing room to save themselves.
Here are the video:
With just 26 points for them so far in the competition, Gremio find themselves at the 19th spot and are 7-point short of the safe zone. They have 11 games remaining and are likely to get relegated, given their game this season. Such a poor performance doesn't suit a team like Gremio, who have former Bayern Munich stars Douglas Costa and Rafinha in the team.
Gremio play their upcoming games against table-toppers Atletico Minero on Thursday before they play rivals Internacional in an away game on Saturday. Now the least they could do is to save themselves from getting relegated to save their stature.
Brasileiro Serie A table so far
Atletico Minero top the table with 59 points to their credit from 28 games. They have won 18 out of them and have drawn 5 and lost as many. Palmeiras have 52 points from 29 games, while Flamengo have 49 points from 26 games. Bragantino and Fortaleza occupy the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.