Angry Brazilian fans invade practice, punch player

SAO PAULO (AP) -- Fans disgruntled with Fluminense's struggles invaded the team's practice on Tuesday, punching a player in the stomach and causing security guards to fire shots into the air to protect the others.

About 30 fans from a Fluminense fan group entered the training grounds to protest, confronting some of the players for their disappointing results in recent matches.

The team led by former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is winless in four matches. After being eliminated by Corinthians in the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Cup last week, it fell 4-1 to Santos at Maracana on Sunday.

Local media said the fans complained of the players' excessive nightlife and accused them of not giving their best effort on the field.

After midfielder Diguinho started arguing with the fans, one supporter punched him in the stomach, Globo's G1 Web site and other local media reported.

Security guards quickly arrived and reportedly fired two shots into the air to keep the fans from going after other players. Police were summoned to end the altercation at the training grounds in Rio de Janeiro.

Former Hamburg midfielder Thiago Neves was one of the players heavily jeered by the fans, who also carried a banner saying "The team doesn't deserve the fans it has."

The car of former Lyon striker Fred was reportedly damaged by the fans.

Argentine midfielder Dario Conca was one of the few spared by the fans though his name was shouted several times.

Fluminense's next match is on Sunday against Nautico in the northeastern city of Refice. Another disappointing result could cost the job of Parreira, who arrived in March.

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