Federal government says it is “radically against” single fans in stadiums

After the governor of Rio, Cláudio Castro (PL), prohibited five organized groups from attending stadiums and associated them with criminal organizations, the national secretary of Football and Defense of Fans’ Rights, José Luís Ferrarezi, lamented “the manner of conduct” with that the fight between Flamengo and Vasco fans last weekend was dealt with. One man was killed and seven others were injured.

The turmoil increased the debate about single fans in stadiums, something that already happens in São Paulo and is under discussion in states like Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina. About this, Ferrarezi declared that the federal government rejects the hypothesis and wants the debate on fights between supporters to happen at the national level.

“I landed yesterday (Friday) in Rio already with a debate involving the supporters, and I regret the way it was conducted. Honestly, I regret it. It is not with only supporters that we are going to solve this situation in Brazil”, said Ferrarezi during the sports management seminar organized by FGV, in Rio.

“We have a radical position against this situation of single supporters. When the State does this, it assumes its incompetence in managing and conducting the debate. I believe that we have to federalize this issue, together with states, the federal government, in dialogue with the CBF”, he maintained. “When the State says it needs to have a single fan base, it says it is unable to serve its population.”

After his speech, the secretary admitted that the federalization of the theme is not so simple. “We have to recognize that the states have autonomy. Now, the (federal) government can no longer just watch. We have to federalize this debate. The CBF also has to position itself on this. Of course, we also understand the autonomy of the CBF in holding games, competitions, federations, but this issue of supporters is important for the country”, he commented. “And the violence is not happening inside the field; it is happening close by, in the surroundings. This is a matter of public safety.”

Ferrarezi again criticized the way the issue was handled in Rio, after a meeting that included the governor, representatives of security agencies, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Football Federation of Rio (Ferj). “Here in Rio de Janeiro, I arrived yesterday and you can’t hear that supporters have to be banned, that they have to be criminalized, as they are trying to. in the single crowd. This is exempting the State, making life easier for the State”, he commented.

“It is not banning supporters or criminalizing organized supporters that will solve this situation. We are of the opinion that, when you have mixed supporters, more supporters inside the stadium – just see what was Palmeiras vs Flamengo in Brasília in the final (of the Supercup) , with two supporters -, this enhances the event, the entertainment”, added the secretary.

In his evaluation, the discussion about violence between supporters needs to be focused on the individual, not on the group. “It’s the person’s CPF. You need to understand that there are good and bad people everywhere, in supporters, in politics, in religions, in companies. That’s the CPF, not the supporters”, he pointed out.