The Public Security Administration of Sao Paulo State (Brazil) announced that at least one person was killed after a clash between two groups of fans on their way to watch the match between Cruzeiro and Athletico Paranaense.
The incident took place on the morning of October 27 (local time), on Fernao Dias Avenue in Sao Paolo state. According to a police report, a group of Palmeiras fans attacked a bus carrying fans of rival Cruzeiro, while they were on their way to Belo Horizonte.
Jose Miranda died in a bus carrying Cruzeiro fans.
Palmeiras fans used homemade weapons and explosives to attack the convoy. They blew up two buses, while one person was still seriously injured inside. Police have identified the victim as a man named Jose Miranda. He is 30 years old and a Cruzeiro fan.
In addition to Jose Miranda, 12 other fans in the convoy were also seriously injured and were taken to hospital. The attackers are believed to be “Mancha Alviverde” – the name of a Palmeiras fan club.
Immediately after the incident, the media of the two clubs condemned the violent behavior of the Palmeiras fans. Cruzeiro Club posted on its homepage: “Cruzeiro regrets the violent behavior of the fan groups. This morning, on the Fernao Dias highway, one person died and many people were injured due to the above incident. There should be no violence in football. Football should be a place to connect passion, to connect the crowd. We need to immediately stop criminal behavior in football.”
Palmeiras FC also spoke out: “Palmeiras FC has seen and protested the criminal acts on the Fernao Dias highway this morning. Football is not an excuse to cause crime and death. Hopefully the incident will be clarified by the competent authorities.”
The perpetrator fled when police arrived at the scene.
Sao Paolo police said the criminals fled the scene immediately after completing the attack. Sao Paolo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas angrily said: “We are urgently investigating this incident. Those who committed the crime will be punished. I am deeply saddened by the loss of the victim and his family. I assure you that the criminals will not be able to escape from this crime!”
This is not the first time Cruzeiro and Palmeiras fans have clashed. In 2022, four people were shot and 10 injured in a brawl between fans of the two teams.
The incident in Sao Paolo has once again raised concerns about violence in football, especially in Brazil.
