SAO PAULO (AP) -- Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass was injured when team fans frustrated by a defeat in the Copa Libertadores confronted players at an airport in Argentina on Thursday.
Prass had to be treated for a cut in his head, but no one was seriously hurt in the altercation before the team's return to Brazil, according to Brazilian media with the team.
The supporters, wearing jerseys from the team's biggest fan group, faced the players while they were waiting to board their flight back to Sao Paulo after the 1-0 loss to Tigre.
The Lance sports daily said the fans tried to attack the players and security guards had to intervene. Prass was injured after drinking glasses were thrown.
Chilean playmaker Jorge Valdivia had to hide in the airport's bathroom, surrounded by security guards.
Lance showed a video in which captain Henrique and reserve goalkeeper Bruno tried to talk with some of the fans to calm them down.
The confrontation caused a brief disruption at Jorge Newbery Airport.
Palmeiras released a statement saying it was deciding what measures it would take about the incident in Argentina. Club president Paulo Nobre called those involved in the confrontation "irrational bandits."
Palmeiras lost after conceding a last-minute goal, dropping to second-to-last in Group 2 of the Copa Libertadores.
It was not the first time that Palmeiras, the Brazilian team with the most national titles, had problems with radical fan groups. Players received death threats before the team's relegation to the second division last year and the team's store was lit on fire. This year, reserve player Fabinho Capixaba was assaulted by fans on a street.
In 2008, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo injured his arm in a confrontation with supporters at an airport in Brazil, and a year later former Brazil striker Vagner Love left the club after being threatened by a fan group, as did playmaker Diego Souza. Last year, midfielder Joao Vitor got into a fight with supporters who waited for him to leave the club headquarters to criticize him.
___
Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoni