At a recent match in Anapolis, Gremio Anapolis’ goalkeeper, Ramon Souza, found himself in an unexpected duel, not with an opposing player, but with a rubber bullet, courtesy of a local military police officer’s firearm.
READ MORE
++ VIDEO: Coach arrested on the pitch after racial abuse on Bahía defender, Suelen
++ Endrick at the heart of the controversy after the elimination of Brazil
++ Antônia praises the integration of experience with youth in the National Team
What happened?
The chaos occurred at Jonas Duarte Stadium following a heated 2-1 defeat to Centro Oeste. A pitch-side brawl involving players and staff escalated quickly, peaking in the shocking moment captured on video: a police officer firing and striking Souza in the thigh.
A player was shot by a police officer during a football game in Brazil 😳🤯 pic.twitter.com/jcA8Ip6rew
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) July 11, 2024
The goalkeeper’s injury was severe enough to warrant immediate medical attention and a rush to the hospital after receiving first aid on site.
The incident, now viral, has left fans and officials alike in disbelief. Gremio Anapolis was quick to express their outrage, condemning the act as “ridiculous,” “revolting,” and a stark misstep by someone meant to uphold safety, not compromise it.
Nota de repúdio!https://t.co/AHQzbamfUS
— Grêmio Anapolis-GEA (@GremioAnapolis) July 11, 2024
Their statement didn’t mince words, zeroing in on the absurdity and criminal nature of using a rubber bullet in a stadium packed with spectators.
In an interview, Carliane Alves De Souza, mother of Ramon Souza, said her son, who has been playing football since he was seven, wouldn’t pursue his craft for the rest of the year due to injuries. In her words,
“This man wearing the uniform can never be called a police officer from Goiás. That man is unprepared. He should never have fired that shot, because there was no need. He got in my boy’s way and took him out of the championship.
“He won’t play again this year. Instead of training, he’s walking from police station to police station. His life story changed in a few seconds. If we stay silent, the same thing will happen to others,”
Safety in football
But let’s not skim over the gravity of this issue. The use of such force in a sports setting raises serious questions about policing and safety protocols at football matches.
It’s not just about a single rogue officer; it’s a systemic issue that could have ended much worse. As we rally behind the excitement of the game, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers lurking where they are least expected.
As for Ramon Souza and Gremio Anapolis, the road ahead involves recovery and legal battles to ensure such an incident doesn’t slide by unaddressed.
But for the rest of us, it’s a moment to reflect on the nature of the sports we watch and the environments we consider safe havens from the outside world.
