Fans injured during riots in Brazil

Three football fans were left in a coma and several others were seriously injured in violent clashes at a Brazilian league game yesterday.

 

At least three fans were airlifted to hospital in "a critical condition" as the final-day clash between Atletico PR and Vasco da Gama was halted due to running battles in the stands.

 

The game, in which Atletico PR led 1-0 after just a few minutes, was being staged at a neutral ground in Joinville because of previous crowd incidents.

 

And after Atletico took the lead - a goal which helped condemn Vasco to relegation - violent brawls broke out.

 

 

Atletico defender Luiz Alberto was one of a raft of players visibly shaken by the scenes, weeping on the sidelines as he told television crews:

 

"They were trying to escape the Atletico fans. We saw a young lad laying down, getting kicked, being hit by blocks of wood.

 

"He is a human being. This needs to stop. We asked them to stop, and they did not listen to us "

 

Teammate Wendel added, "this is so sad... there are no words for it.

 

"There are people on the ground, I don't know what has happened to them"

 

Vasco vice president Antonio Peralta criticised the scenes:

 

"This is not a circus, it is recreation, a sporting event that has to bring joy and not death.

 

"At Vasco we do not accept that."

 

This raises further questions on Brazil's readiness and ability to deliver a safe World Cup. Two weeks ago - Two people have died in an accident at Sao Paulo's stadium, which is due to host the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup finals.

 

Mirror Football - additional reporting by Jacasport