AeroFla throws an intense party, invading the Flamingo bus and ultimately getting confused

Thousands of Flamengo fans who came to bid farewell to the team before heading to Lima, where they will play the Libertadores final against Palmeiras on Saturday, felt maximum emotion and tension. The already traditional “AeroFla” had the madness of red and black passion and ended in an unfortunate flop.

Thousands of Flamengo fans attended the AeroFla Stadium – Photo: Alexandre Cassiano

Before boarding the plane, fans arriving from São Gonçalo to Baixada Fluminense surrounded the route where the club buses would travel. Minutes after the buses arrived, there were about 50 fans on top of each bus.

Fans even stormed the team bus, a moment captured in athletes’ videos on social media. Flamengo, who were in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday for the deciding match in the Brazilian league, were keen to make one last call with fans before the final and returned to Rio de Janeiro for the event, for which they had summoned their supporters.

On many banners and among the fans, the slogan “No one dies because of us”, in a clear reference to the 2021 final, in which Alverde won over Rubro Negro.

Fans break into Flamengo players’ bus through the roof during AeroFla

The atmosphere of celebration and singing continued until near the entrance to the cargo lounge at Galeao Airport, when the dispersion began. Fans even got off buses, but there were actions from police and riot police, who used tear gas and rubber bullets.

Confusion eventually brought an end to the gathering of Flamengo fans attending AeroFla - Photo: Alexandre Cassiano — Confusion eventually brought an end to the gathering of Flamengo fans attending AeroFla – Photo: Alexandre Cassiano

Confusion eventually ended the gathering of Flamengo fans attending AeroFla - Photograph: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP — Confusion eventually ended the gathering of Flamengo fans attending AeroFla – Photograph: Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP

The confusion developed into conflict in several parts of the Ponte Velha district of Ilha do Governador. Fans responded to the rubber bullets by throwing rocks. The tension continued for about 30 minutes until the atmosphere stabilized.

The result was a bitter atmosphere at the end, with injured fans and families with children feeling hopeless. A sad note from such an important event in the history of the red and black team looking for America’s fourth place in Lima.