Brazil blocks 32 Argentine hooligans from World Cup
A fan shows off his muscles and tattoos of Brazil and Argentina as thousands watch the World Cup group A match between Brazil and Cameroon, in the Vila Madalena neighborhood, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday, June 23, 2014. Brazil has blocked 32 Argentine football fans with a history of violent behavior from entering the country for the World Cup, officials said Tuesday. AP PHOTO/DARIO LOPEZ-MILLS
SAO PAULO–Brazil has blocked 32 Argentine football fans with a history of violent behavior from entering the country for the World Cup, officials said Tuesday.
The “barras bravas,” as they are known in Argentina, were on a list of 2,100 names the Argentine authorities gave the hosts in a bid to stop violent fans from attending World Cup games, the Brazilian justice ministry said in a statement.
Eighteen of the Argentines flew into Brazil and 14 came by land, the ministry said.
Brazil is working with authorities around the world to keep hooligans out of the World Cup, but only Argentine fans have been turned away so far.
On Saturday police detained 19 Argentines suspected of illegally entering Brazil to watch Argentina’s match against Iran.
Military police handed them over to Argentine security forces after detaining them at Mineirao Stadium in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte, reported Brazilian radio network CBN.
