By Ben Tavener
Military police in Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro clashed with anti-World Cup protesters near the famous Maracan stadium as the city's first match of the month-long tournament got underway on Sunday.
As Argentina faced off against Bosnia-Herzegovina on the pitch, protesters marched in streets near the stadium to voice their anger at World Cup spending by the Brazilian government and what they view as serious underfunding of public services.
The march attracted around 300 people at its height, but riot police ensured they did not breach police lines formed to prevent the protesters from getting to the stadium.
A small number of protesters vandalized bank branches and threw home-made petrol bombs at police, who responded with tear gas, stun grenades, pepper spray and rubber bullets in a bid to disperse the group.
Around fifty of the protesters were in masks, local media reported, and at least one protester was injured by rubber bullets in the ensuing clashes with police and was taken to hospital.
“The majority of Brazilians don't have any rights. None at all. People are confronted by police, murdered and tortured,” a protester who identified himself as Rafael told the Anadolu Agency.
“What's more, people are tortured every day with a lack of health and education. This World Cup is only for the rich,” the protester continued.
“The World Cup is theft,” another protester, who wished to remain anonymous, told AA. “Thirty billion reais for 30 days. And we don't have anything.”
Correspondents at the tense scene said the number of protests grew as the march progressed, and that protesters tried to regroup after the main confrontation with police.
Protests also marred the opening day of the tournament Thursday in Sao Paulo, where a number of protesters and journalists were injured by police.
More protests are planned in the coming days.
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