Mystery spray forces club to flee
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian champion Sao Paulo was forced to flee its dressing-room at halftime after it filled with an unidentified spray during its match away to Palmeiras on Sunday.
A 15-minute blackout at the Parque Antartica stadium also marred the Paulista championship semifinal second leg match, which Palmeiras won 2-0.
Sao Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho, who gave his halftime team talk on the pitch, said he and several members of the delegation had come close to vomiting.
"It was impossible to breath, it was extremly irritating for the nostrils and eyes," team doctor Jose Sanchez told reporters.
Sao Paulo also complained it was unable to take showers after the game.
A police official said the spray, which had not been identified, was a matter for the two clubs and the federation.
Palmeiras, trailing 2-1 from the first leg, went ahead in the 23rd minute when Leo Lima's 30m shot was misjudged by Rogerio Ceni.
Flamboyant Chilean Jorge Valdivia finished off a breakaway for the second in the 84th minute and appeared to provoke Sao Paulo's defenders as he celebrated.
Almost immediately, the lights went out and there was a scuffle in midfield as Sao Paulo players remonstrated with Valdivia.
Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team will face Ponte Preta in the final of the championship, the biggest of the state competitions which kick off the Brazilian season.
Ponte beat Guaratingueta 2-1 on Saturday to complete a 3-1 aggregate win.
Old rivals Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro will meet in the Minas Gerais final in Belo Horizonte after completing semi-final wins.
Cruzeiro came from behind to beat Ituiutaba 3-1 for a 7-5 aggregate win while Atletico went through 4-2 on aggregate after beating Tupi 1-0.
Agencies
(China Daily 04/22/2008 page24)
