The São Paulo Football Federation just slapped a 30-day stadium ban on Palmeiras’ biggest fan group, Mancha Alviverde. Effective immediately, this decision bars fans from bringing any gear that identifies them as part of this group—think banners, flags, and t-shirts—into stadiums.
READ MORE
++ Neymar’s first year at Al-Hilal: expectations vs. reality
++ Evanilson joins Bournemouth in €47M move from Porto
++ “Bobby”, Endrick’s new nickname at Real Madrid
Why they did it? The Federation’s announcement was a bit thin on details. They didn’t share why the Public Prosecutor’s Office pushed for this ban. It makes you wonder what’s happening behind the scenes, especially with the timing of it all.
Now, let’s talk impact. This isn’t just any ban. It means Mancha Alviverde will miss out on cheering from the stands during two crucial matches at Allianz Parque. First up, we’ve got the classic against São Paulo this Sunday for the Brazilian Championship, and then the big game against Botafogo for the CONMEBOL Libertadores next Wednesday. That’s tough timing for the team and its fans.
The Federation has looped in State Security Agencies to make sure everyone sticks to the rules. Starting now, this ban is in full swing. With the stadium a bit quieter, it’ll be interesting to see how Palmeiras handles these key games without their loudest supporters.