Fluminense players escorted by police after loss

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -Fluminense players had to be escorted by police after fans protested a loss that left the club in last place in the Brazilian league.

The team bus had to be diverted to a secondary exit after arriving at the Rio de Janeiro airport following a 5-1 loss to Gremio at the Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre on Sunday.

Fans threatened the players and complained of their lack of effort. Some got near the bus and kicked and threw punches at the vehicle, according to local media.

The loss to Gremio extended the team's winless streak to 10 matches. The 1984 Brazilian champions have only 18 points from 25 matches and are in serious danger of being relegated to the second division. The bottom four clubs will be demoted.