Seven Brazilian football fans freed in Bolivia

Seven Brazilian fans of the Corinthians football club detained in Bolivia over the accidental death of a youth in February were released Thursday, the Sao Paulo team said.

Corinthians, in a statement on its website, said it learnt with “great happiness news of the release.”

A flare fired by a Brazilian fan killed a 14-year-old Bolivian during Corinthians’ away game against San Jose in the western Bolivian city of Oruro during a Libertadores Cup match.

After the incident, Bolivian police detained 12 Corinthians fans.

The five other Brazilians were kept behind bars because gunpowder residue was found on their hands, along with flares in their backpacks during their February 20 arrest, according to the Brazilian sports daily Lance.

A 17-year-old Corinthians supporter, on his return to Sao Paulo, took responsibility for the accidental death during the 1-1 draw in Oruro.

Bolivian authorities did not produce evidence that the accused were responsible for the Bolivian teenager’s death.

A new court hearing was set to take place in the coming days to determine their fate.

If found responsible for the death of the Bolivian youth, the detained Brazilian fans could face jail sentences of between five and 20 years.

The South American Football Confederation, or CONMEBOL, has ordered Corinthians to play their home Libertadores Cup matches behind closed doors, with no fans in the stands, until further notice.

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