Rampaging Santos fans set cars on fire and torch buses as smoke billows over city after devastation of relegation

Santos fans set cars on fire as they took to the streets in anger following the club’s relegation for the first time in their 111-year history.

The Brazilian club where late legend Pele spent all but the last couple of years of his playing career lost 2-1 at home to Fortaleza in the final round of Brazil's Serie A which saw them drop out of the top flight. And immediately seething supporters vented their fury outside the club’s Vila Belmiro Stadium, on the outsiders of Sao Paulo.

Santos were one of only three Brazilian clubs – along with Sao Paulo and Flamengo – never to have been relegated from Brazil's top flight but a nightmare run of five games without a win saw them drop down. Former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos joined the South Americans in the summer but was an unused substitute for the match that sealed their fate.

Santos had looked set to stave off relegation when they stood level at 1-1 with Fortaleza in the second half and with Vasco being held 1-1 by Bragantino. But Serginho's goal for Vasco in the 82nd minute and a stoppage-time goal from Fortaleza's Lucero condemned the three-times Copa Libertadores champions to relegation in front of their frustrated home fans.

And shocking footage has now emerged of cars ablaze outside the stadium with reports that one of the vehicles belonged to Morelos’ Colombian compatriot Stiven Mendoza. Buses were also set on fire and footage showed smoke billowing from the city centre.