Last week, FTR discussed the practice of promotion and relegation in a discussion on whether late-season NFL games between lousy teams can be interesting. Commenters seemed to agree it would never happen in the U.S., because no owner of a hallmark franchise like the Yankees or the Red Sox would risk suffering the ultimate indignity: their team's demotion to the minors.
But that's precisely what happened over the weekend to Vasco da Gama of Rio de Janeiro, one of four teams never to have been demoted from Brazil's top division in its 110-year history. Until Sunday, that is, when the four-time league champions suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Vitoria in the season finale. The loss sealed a disastrous 18th-place finish, ensuring their relegation from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
One Vasco fan -- perhaps "feeling that he couldn’t live without the excitement of top flight football," as The Spoiler put it -- climbed atop the roof of the stadium and threatened to commit suicide before (thankfully) getting subdued by police. Cameras caught the video of the frightening incident.
Here's hoping this trend doesn't spread north of the equator: We certainly don't need the already-on-edge Mets fans getting any ideas for next September.
Suicidal Brazilian fan talked down from roof of stadium [The Spoiler]
Vasco da Gama 0 - 2 Vitoria [Soccerway]
Can late-season games featuring bad teams be interesting? [For The Record]
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