Just 40 days before the country hosts the World Cup, the ugly side of Brazilian soccer was on view on Saturday after a fan died when he was struck by a toilet bowl thrown following a match in the host city of Recife.
Santa Cruz, a second-tier side, had drawn with visiting Parana late on Friday when violence erupted outside Arruda stadium, across town from a brand new World Cup venue.
Some fans ripped out toilet bowls and threw them at people congregated below, fatally injuring one.
Brazil's Tribunal for Sporting Justice immediately opened an investigation and ruled Arruda stadium be closed pending its outcome.
Police identified the dead man as Paulo Ricardo Gomes da Silva.
His mother, Joelma, told local radio: "They killed my son and me too - I would not wish the pain I am suffering today on anybody."
Local television said da Silva was embroiled in a quarrel with organized groups of opposing fans.
Brazil striker Fred, who recently took a stand against organized fan groups including those at his own club, Fluminense, after some physically threatened him, decried the fatality.
"This is another sad chapter of violence which reinforces the need for immediate changes in the relationship between clubs and fans in Brazil," Fred said on social media.
- Agence France-Presse
(China Daily 05/05/2014 page24)
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