Flamengo will spend this week training away from their usual Rio de Janeiro base to esc ape the attentions of angry supporters, club president Marcio Braga has revealed.
Braga said the players would stay in the city of Volta Redonda until the weekend.
The decision came after Flamengo players clashed with fans who jeered them at the airport after they arrived at Rio de Janeiro airport on Sunday evening following a 6-1 defeat to Atletico Mineiro.
Television pictures showed goalkeeper Julio Cesar kicking one fan on the ground while defender Junior Baiano and veteran midfielder Zinho were also involved.
“The television pictures showed me lashing out but didn’t show what happened earlier,” Julio Cesar told reporters before boarding his flight.
“It was a cowardly act and the police only arrived after the worst had happened.”
Braga admitted he was shocked by Sunday’s performance, which has left the club facing relegation for the first time in their history.
“I was speechless,” he said. “Too lose 6-1 in a match of that importance, there’s just no explanation.”
Flamengo lie 22nd in the 24-team table from which four teams are relegated.
