RIO DE JANEIRO -- It was a scary moment outside Maracanã Stadium about an hour ahead of the Spain-Chile match on Wednesday after a mob of around 100 fans wearing Chilean soccer jerseys overran World Cup security officials and broke through an entrance to storm the park.
FIFA officials said the fans, who did not have tickets, forced their way into the stadium to see the sold-out match. Most of the World Cup fans ran into the media center -- it was the closest door to the stadium entrance through which they broke -- because they apparently thought it would lead them into the grandstands.
That led to a chaotic scene of broken glass and a destroyed temporary wall in the media center.
Some aftermath in the media center entrance pic.twitter.com/5mXREeiW3p
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014
Media center wall destroyed pic.twitter.com/gSSekeCh0G
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014
It took at least 15 minutes for security officials to get everything under control. Stadium security guards tried to create a perimeter and eventually detained at least 85 people, FIFA officials said. Once the detainees were outside, riot police armed with stun guns forced them into a single-file line and into a holding area.
About 30 #CHI fans being held. pic.twitter.com/G8zQRSvqG2
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014
Meanwhile, the detainees covered their faces in an effort to shield themselves from reporters who were taking photos and video.
A #CHI fan covering his face. pic.twitter.com/AqwYTu6oHV
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014
Fairly chaotic situation in the media center. Good arresting as press takes photos. pic.twitter.com/29ih1OITEY
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014
Both FIFA and Brazilian World Cup officials released a joint statement late Wednesday afternoon, saying they "condemn these acts of violence." Meanwhile, World Cup organizers increased security around the stadium.
Wide view of the Maracana media center scene, #CHI fans being detained after storming stadium gate. pic.twitter.com/UKSVWJFeMe
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014
More pics from Maracana media center. #ESPCHI pic.twitter.com/vN745zcNN3
— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) June 18, 2014