Football fan burned to demise as organised hooliganism takes sickening flip

A football fan was burned alive by a rival supporter base in an attack that left 12 others seriously injured, according to reports.

The ‘Mafia Azul’ ultra supporters of Brazilian team Cruzeiro were on their way back from watching their side lose 3-0 to Athletico Paranaense, when their bus was attacked with fireworks and nails in Mairipora, Greater Sao Paulo on Sunday, October 27. Reports from Brazil understand the ultras fan-base of Brazilian side Palmeiras, who are known as the ‘Mancha Alviverde’ are responsible for the horrific incident.

It was carried out on the Fernao Dias Highway, where the Alviverde bus encountered the Cruzeiro supporters. According to the investigation, 30-year-old Jose Victor dos Santos Miranda was burnt to death, while 12 others are understood to have also been left seriously injured, with injures ranging from gunshots to traumatisms.

Fourteen people were taken to Anjo Gabriel Hospital in Mairipora by ambulance, while another three were sent to Franco da Rocha hospital. Officers at Mairipora Police Station are using footage of the incident to identify any suspects involved, while also investigating the motive.

Reacting to the senseless tragedy, Cruzeiro released a statement that said: “Cruzeiro deeply regrets another episode of violence among supporters. This time during early morning hours on Fernao Dias Highway, which resulted in a Cruzeiro fan’s death and several injuries. There is no room for violence in football, a sport that unites passions and crowds. We need to put an end to these criminal acts.”

Palmeiras also condemned the attack in a post which read: “Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras repudiates scenes of violence staged on Fernao Dias Highway this Sunday morning. Football cannot serve as a backdrop for fights and deaths. May facts be duly investigated by competent authorities and criminals punished rigorously.”

Reports from the Brazilian Federal Highway Police claim the attackers “fled the scene before the arrival of the agents”. It’s also understood that police discovered “homemade explosive devices” and spiked devices known as “abrojos”, which are used to puncture coach tyres.

The Governor of Sao Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas, made his outrage known via Instagram where he said: “I vehemently repudiate this regrettable attack on Cruzeiro’s bus this morning on Fernao Dias. This barbarity left one person dead and 12 injured.

“Football should never be synonymous with anything similar to this complete absurdity. We will investigate identify those responsible for this crime severely punish them! I deeply regret lost life injuries reinforce my commitment that this atrocity will not go unpunished!”

The Federal Highway Police also claimed Palmeiras fans attacked the Cruzeiro supporters with wooden sticks and fire. In total, 150 supporters clashed on the highway in the incident which began at around 5.20am.

It is not the first time the two rival fan bases have clashed in such a manner. In September 2022, four people were shot and ten were injured when the two groups fought in Fernao Dias, 107 km from Belo Horizonte.