Thousands of Chinese football fans are reported to have rampaged through the streets of the south-eastern city of Fuzhou after they were unable to watch the World Cup match between China and Brazil on Saturday.

We are all soccer fans, we understand their feeling

Chinese police officer

One report said the trouble started after an outdoor television screen broke down. But another said police had switched off the broadcast minutes before the match was due to start in order to disperse the crowds.

This year's World Cup marks China's debut in the tournament and emotions among football fans have been running high in the country, although it is the first violence to be reported in connection with the competition.

However, football hooliganism in China itself has been growing - following a wave of allegations about corrupt refereeing.

Fury

The fans in Fuzhou overturned police cars, damaged a city bus, and tore down street signs, in violence lasting two hours, according to police and witnesses.

Some 100 heavily armed paramilitary policemen were called in to restore order but one of the city's main streets was reportedly blocked for about five hours by angry fans.

The police told AP news agency that no-one was arrested.

"We are all soccer fans, we understand their feeling," the officer said.

China lost their opening game 2-0 to Costa Rica. They have one more game to play - against Turkey in Seoul on 13 June - but have been mathematically eliminated from pursuing their World Cup dreams any further.