Games between the four big clubs in the State of São Paulo —São Paulo, Santos, Corinthians and Palmeiras—, in addition to Guarani and Ponte Preta, from Campinas, will continue with a single fan base. The decision was taken by the FPF (São Paulo Football Federation), following a recommendation from the MPSP (Public Ministry of São Paulo).
According to prosecutor Roberto Bacal, games with single fans, adopted in the State of São Paulo since 2016, have shown good results. He cited as examples the increase in attendance at stadiums and the decrease in the occurrence of crimes in and around sports venues.
“Contrary to the good practice mentioned, the games held in São Paulo between major teams and rivals from the Brazilian Championships and the Copa do Brasil, as well as the Libertadores da América, in view of the verified experience, have brought several incidents of intolerance, uncontrollable violence and unacceptable in stadiums in São Paulo these days”, wrote Bacal in the recommendation addressed to the FPF.
The effectiveness of single fans, however, is questioned by experts. They point out that the fights only moved from the surroundings of the stadiums to the journeys to and from delegations and fans.
At the end of October, Cruzeiro fans were attacked by members of the organized fan base Mancha Alviverde, from Palmeiras, at km 65 of the Fernão Dias highway, in Mairiporã, metropolitan region of São Paulo. The confrontation resulted in the death of a Cruzeiro fan, in addition to 20 injuries.
In November, it was the turn of the bus transporting the players of the Palmeiras women’s team to be stoned on a section of the Castelo Branco highway, on the way from Vinhedo (SP), where the athletes train, to the capital.
