Flamengo fans punished after banner against ’64 torturers’

Two Flamengo fans are wearing electronic ankle bracelets and away from stadiums until December 31 following a mix-up over a banner reading “death to the torturers of 64”.

The banner was taken to Maracanã on April 1st for the first duel between Flamengo and Fluminense in the Carioca Championship final. The date of the game coincided with the 59th anniversary of the military coup.

Flamengo fans, however, made a complaint about the fact that the banner could be interpreted as incitement to violence, given the recent scenario of punishments organized by the PM and MPRJ. There was an argument in the stands and, shortly afterwards, police arrived on the scene.

Amidst the confusion, the agents took F. and stated that he would just be removed from the stadium. He, however, was taken to Jecrim do Maracanã, under the allegation of having violated Article 41-B of the Fan Statute. The fans asked the reporter not to be identified.

The cited article speaks of “promoting riots, committing or inciting violence, or invading restricted areas for competitors at sporting events”

M., who was also in the stands, went to the place and presented himself as F.’s lawyer, but also became a defendant.

“I helped to separate the confusion, because there were women, children. When the police arrived, the people dispersed, they kept the banner and I stayed in the same place, because I had not done anything wrong. The police told me that I would be removed from the stadium, but it took me to Jecrim”, said F.

“I presented myself as a lawyer to the policeman who informed him that he would only be removed from the stadium. Afterwards, I received the message saying that I was at the police station giving testimony. I presented myself again, and I was appointed as someone who would be stretching the banner. I was included in the process and we went to the hearing,” said M.

The following measures were presented to the fans for an agreement: banning attendance at Flamengo games until December 31, 2023; use of an electronic ankle bracelet (until December 31, 2023) and a fine of BRL 300 reais. According to reports, they just didn’t pay the fine.

There were two lawsuits for the anklets to be removed, but without a positive response from Justice. There will be a hearing on the next 10th.

The banner of Flamengo fans

The case gained repercussions after a publication by the Flamengo Antifascista collective. Sought after by the report, they stated that “several fans voluntarily joined the demonstration”.

According to the collective, recent actions by public bodies have made the bleachers a more hostile environment due to the fear of severe punishment.

In a note, the PM said that “The fans were taken to the Special Criminal Court. All measures were determined by the aforementioned judicial sphere.” The MPRJ was approached by UOL, but did not respond about the case until the closing of this report.

The OAB-RJ ruled on the case and said that it follows “the process of Flamengo fans who are responding before the Fan Court, due to the opening of a banner at the Maracanã stadium, on April 1st”