October 18 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has condemned the growing fan violence in the club game following a series of incidents that have tarnished the game recently.
Violence in Brazilian football is not uncommon, but in recent months incidents have multiplied with fans protesting at training grounds at airports, mostly against their own clubs, or pelting team busses with stones.
The CBF has put its foot down and asked that courts in Brazil punish those culpable for the violence.
At the weekend, a match between Ceara and Cuiaba in Fortaleza got out of hand when home fans tore down parts of the wire perimeter fencing and charged on to the pitch, with children also caught up in the melee. The match was suspended. There was further violence at a second-division game.
“We are outraged by the images we saw … in the two matches,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues (pictured) in a statement. “We put ourselves in the shoes of the parents of that child who fainted in Fortaleza. We expect drastic punishments to be handed down by the court. Brazilian football has no more room for violence and setbacks.”
The Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) which is dealing with the cases said it was waiting for evidence to investigate and take appropriate measures.
“The Prosecutor’s Office will act strictly in all cases of violence in football stadiums,” said Attorney General Ronaldo Piacente. “Parents and all right-minded people need to feel safe in any football game in Brazil and we will fight to make this a reality.”
Ceara, who are near the bottom of the Brazilian Serie A table issued an apology to the fans who were forced to evacuate the stadium.
“To our fans, our solidarity and sincere apologies,” said the club. “We reiterate our commitment to maintaining our sports venues as safe environments for families, understanding that football is driven by passion, but it is also an essential mechanism of inclusion, fraternization and entertainment.”
“We will always fight for peace, both inside and outside the stadiums.”
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