Uruguay's police arrest 80 fans in victory rampage

Uruguay's police arrested 80 rampaging football fans, after celebrations marking their team's victory over a rival in a local championship got out of control.

The press office of Montevideo's city government said 17 police officers suffered minor injuries when fans began pelting stones at them here Wednesday night, reports Xinhua.

The fans went on rampage after Penarol defeated Defensor 3-1 at the city's Centenario Stadium, in a match attended by some 50,000 people. After the game, Penarol fans thronged Montevideo's downtown area to celebrate.

But the revelry spiralled out of control, with fans vandalizing public property and smashing store windows along the city's main thoroughfare, July 18 Avenue, even looting several shops.

Police already deployed in parts of the downtown district, as part of a preventive security measure, clashed with violent fans.

The website of local daily La Republica said 11 of those arrested are minors, and three police patrol cars were damaged.