Santos supporters set cars and buses on fire in riots after the Brazilian giants – the club of Pele and Neymar – were relegated from the top flight for their first time in their 111-year history
- Santos were relegated after a dramatic last day of the Brazilian season
- Riots broke out after the match and supporters reportedly set cars on fire
- This SHOULD be the moment when players show respect and control. Only the captain may approach umpires – Listen to It all starts
Santos fans set fire to cars and buses after the Brazilian club were relegated for the first time in their 111-year history.
The club, made famous by Pele, suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Fortaleza in the final round of the Brazilian Serie A on Wednesday evening.
The defeat saw Santos end the season in 17th place with 43 points, while the club finished in the fourth and final relegation spot.
Santos had started the final round in 15th place, but dropped back to the relegation places after Vasco da Gama and Bahia won on the final day.
Vasco da Gama secured a late 2-1 victory over Bragantino, while Bahia recorded a surprise 4-1 win against title chasers Atletico Mineiro.
Images showed cars on fire in the streets and smoke billowing into the air
Fortaleza's Lucero scored an injury-time winner against Santos to seal their fate, with the club finishing one point from safety after five games without a win.
Santos, along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo, were one of only three teams not to be relegated from Brazil's top flight.
Supporters had reacted furiously to the relegation at the club's Vila Belmiro Stadium.
Videos revealed that fans of the eight-time Brazilian champions had set fire to cars and buses in the streets around the venue.
Brazilian reports claim Santos striker Stiven Mendoza saw his car destroyed after the vehicle was set on fire.
Footage showed smoke billowing into the air amid the rioting of supporters.
A banner in the stadium also reflected supporters' anger with the message 'Second, sometimes. In the second case never.'
Supporters were also seen crying in their seats as the three-time Copa Libertadores winners dropped to the second tier.
Santos became one of the world's best-known clubs after Pele led them to six Brazilian titles
Neymar is one of the stars who emerged at Santos before success at Barcelona and PSG
Santos had become one of the most famous clubs in world football thanks to Pele's exploits.
Pele, who died last year at the age of 82, led the club to ten state titles and six Brazilian titles in the 1950s and 1960s.
He led the club to consecutive Copa Libertadores titles in 1962 and 1963, while the club won the Intercontinental Cup in both years.
Neymar is one of several Brazilian stars to have started their careers at Santos, including Real Madrid's Rodrygo who recently joined the club.