SAO PAULO (AP) — Authorities are concerned with escalating fan violence in Brazil, with the death of a fan in Sao Paulo over the weekend sparking fears of a new wave of confrontations in South America’s biggest city.
A 21-year-old Palmeiras fan was fatally shot in the head in a fight involving nearly 500 fans Sunday. This was the second soccer-related death in Brazil in just more than a week. There hadn’t been a death linked to fan fighting in Brazil since 2010.
There have been confrontations between rival fan groups nearly every week this year. Experts say a lack of severe punishment and proper police training are some of the reasons for the continuing violence. They say authorities need to take a more active role in trying to solve the problem.
