World Cup 2014: Extra riot police drafted in to protect Gary Lineker and co-hosts ahead of England v Italy game

Riot police line entrances to TV studios after rioters pelt ITV studios with rocks

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Gary Lineker and his BBC co-hosts are to receive extra protection from riot police during tonight’s England v Italy match.

The extra measures have been taken after rioters hurled rocks at ITV’s studios in Rio, smashing part of a large glass panel.

Earlier this week, Linker posted a photo of armed riot police surrounding the TV studios.

“Best defence this evening, right outside the TV studios,” he wrote.

According to The Mirror, extra police have now been drafted in to protect the BBC pundits after the turbulent opening day in Rio.

Some 300 demonstrators protested during Brazil’s opening match on Thursday, causing damage to the TV studios.

ITV’s World Cup host Adrian Chiles and co-hosts Lee Dixon, Fabio Cannavaro and Patrick Vieira heard the sound of rocks hitting the studio screen.

"This demo materialised about 10 minutes before the end of the game. We were all sitting up here and then suddenly sharp clattering sounds started greeting our ears,” Chiles said.

"That was them pelting the glass of our studio and other studios around here. We did try to explain to them that none of this is our fault at ITV Sport."

Earlier today, shocking video footage emerged showing the moment an anti-World Cup protester is apparently sprayed in the eyes by riot police at point blank range.

At least one person was detained by police, and six people injured in the clashes.