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Players and coach scuffle with police in Brazil
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-18 15:56

Police came onto the pitch and scuffled with the players and coach of America-Natal after a controversial sending-off in their Brazilian championship match at Sport Recife on Sunday.

Television pictures showed America coach Lori Sandri being escorted off the field by several heavily armed riot policemen while the goalkeeper Rene was in an angry confrontation with officials.

Brazilian media said that Sandri was handcuffed at one stage as he was led away.

The match turned ugly in the 34th minute when America midfielder Souza was sent off for elbowing.

Sandri, furious at the decision, made angry gestures to the referee and was also dismissed.

He then marched onto the pitch, was surrounded by police and was heard to shout "Get your hands off me" as he was led to the tunnel.

The incident outraged the America players and Rene was seen to lash out at the shield of one policeman.

America, leading 2-1 at the time with two goals from Luciano Dias, had to settle for a 2-2 draw as Carlinhos Bala equalised in the second half for Sport. Durval scored the home team's other goal.

America stayed bottom of the 20-team table while Sport are 18th.

Santos coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo missed his team's game at Juventude after undergoing an appendix operation but was still on the phone from his hospital bed to pass instructions to interim Serginho on the touchline.

Midfielder Cleber Santana and forward Marcos Aurelio scored in the first half hour as Santos won 2-0, only their second win in six outings.

Surprise leaders Botafogo beat Nautico 3-1 at home despite a missed penalty and a bizarre own goal.

Juninho gave Botafogo a first-half lead but the hosts made life difficult for themselves as striker Dodo missed a penalty after halftime, then goalkeeper Julio Cesar's blunder allowed Nautico to equalise.

Julio Cesar missed the ball completely as he attempted to clear Alex's back pass and the ball rolled into the net for an embarrassing own goal.

Andre Lima and Jorge Henrique spared the goalkeeper's blushes by scoring in the last 15 minutes as Botafogo, who have 17 points from seven games, move five points clear of Corinthians.