On Sunday, 5 March, fans of Flamengo and Vasco clashed around the Maracanã stadium, in the North Zone of Rio. The fights took place before the match for the Campeonato Carioca. The Fire Department reported that eight people were injured, one of whom died in hospital. Images show fans running in the Quinta da Boa Vista region. In one of the videos, an injured man tries to get up in the middle of the street. Another video shows fans carrying a blunt weapons used in the fights.
The Military Police (PM) reported that organized fans also clashed with the police. In a note, the security forces said that individuals would be trying to attack the police team and destroying vehicles. Around 50 pieces of wood, nine iron bars, five homemade bombs, fireworks, brass knuckles, and an explosive device were seized in different parts of the Rio’s North Zone.
A Never Ending Problem
Violence in Brazilian football has always been a great risk for those inside and outside the stadiums. After the emergence and growth of organized fans, the rivalry between clubs, previously only seen on the field, was then moved to the streets in a very brutal version. The 1990s were marked by violent fan fights organized mainly in the State of São Paulo. One of the first episodes was in January 1992, in a game between Corinthians and São Paulo valid for the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, where a 13-year-old boy was killed by a homemade bomb thrown by São Paulo fans. Despite the continuous episodes of brutality and deaths, authorities until today debate a solution for this problem.
Violence Inside and Outside the Stadiums
Violence between organized supporters is not restricted to the stadiums or its surroundings. While many happen close to the fields, or in the grandstands, several others take place on the streets nearby or even in distance places, such as bars, restaurants, squares and or anywhere where there is a group of people watching a match.
In 2022, a fight between organized supporters of Corinthians and Goiás closed a Marginal Tietê lane, in São Paulo. Three buses were vandalized, three fans were injured, and seventeen fans were arrested.
Later, that same year, two men were arrested after attacking another man who was wearing the shirt of a Goiás organized group. He was having lunch with his family at a restaurant when he was punched, kicked, and had his shirt ripped off.
Maracanã
In Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, the most important football stadium is the Maracanã stadium. It was home to two World Cup finals and, every year, several matches of national and local championships happen there. It’s possible to do a tour, visiting all the structure or, of course, watch a match. Here are some recommendations for when watching a match:
- Prefer to visit it in groups
- Avoid wearing clothes and accessories that allude to a team outside the stadium
- You can hire tours for watching games. It’s safer. Buy the ticket in advance and prefer to buy it online
- Choose taxis for going to the stadium and for returning to the hotel. Arrive early and, after the match, wait a few minutes before leaving, thus you avoid the crowds
- After arriving, go directly to your seat
- Do not roam around. Prefer West and East sectors. Avoid North and South sectors
- Avoid confrontations
- Do not argue with anyone. If you have a problem, talk to a steward
