Corinthians fans throw soap at players during training

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) -- Angry Corinthians fans carrying brooms and boxes of soap powder ran on to the pitch during training on Friday and forced the session to be called off.

One supporter threw soap powder at the startled players, who were quickly led off the field at the Parque Sao Jorge in Sao Paulo, the club's headquarters.

The incident, intended as a symbolic clean-up by fans of one of Brazil's biggest and most volatile clubs, happened three days after coach Emerson Leao was fired and replaced by Ze Augusto on an interim basis.

"I can say that I'm frightened," Ze Augusto told reporters. "The pressure really is very great. You need a strong personality to work here," added the coach, who has been at the club for six years training the youth teams.

"I don't know how the players will react after the protest ... but I think they're used to it, they know about the responsibility of playing for Corinthians."

The players refused to comment.

Media reports said the protest began when around 50 fans broke down a gate and forced their way past security men on to the terraces around the training pitch.

Initially, the fans protested from the stands, where they insulted club president Alberto Dualib and the players, before a small group ran on the pitch.

Corinthians won the Brazilian championship in 2005 but were nearly relegated last year. This year has begun badly with a poor campaign in the Paulista regional tournament which kicks off the season.

The club signed a controversial partnership deal with London-based Media Sports Investments (MSI) in 2004.

MSI initially spent lavishly on the team, bringing in big signings such as Argentine forward Carlos Tevez and paying their wages, but have significantly reduced their investments in the last six months.

Tevez left for English premier league West Ham United in August along with compatriot Javier Mascherano, who has since joined Liverpool.

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