© EuroFootball.com
After a few days following the draw ceremony of the World Cup, Brazil reminded about one of the most serious dangers in the country - violence in stadiums. On Sunday, during the match between "Vasco da Gama" and "Atletico Paranaense", there were massive brawls. The result of the football fans' confrontation - three serious injuries, reported by the BBC.
One of the most shocking scenes from the stadium was captured by television cameras. In the footage, it is seen how an unconscious man is kicked in the head, even though footballers ask the fans to stop.
Eventually, they finished kicking the man, and soon a medical helicopter landed on the field, taking him to the hospital.
Shocking scenes from "Arena Joinville" stadium were broadcast to millions of people. The fans' brawls started during the first half.
One "Atletico Paranaense" football player was filmed crying.
"I played for 20 years and I have never seen anything like this. Our country will host the World Cup and we know that everyone will see these images," said defender Luiz Alberto.
"Vasco da Gama" team needed a victory in these matches to stay in the elite Brazilian league. However, "Atletico Paranaense" team won 5:1.
Although there was tension before the match, there was no police at the stadium. "This is a private event, so the security is supposed to be provided by the security company hired by the hosts. We were only supposed to assign our officers to certain areas," said a representative of the state military police to the press.
When the fans became unruly, riot control officers intervened to calm them down. They fired rubber bullets.
