The post-match scene between Fortaleza and Sport in the Copa do Nordeste turned into a horror scene last Wednesday, February 21, when Fortaleza’s delegation bus was the target of a violent attack.
Six players were injured and had to be taken to the hospital, while the vehicle was completely destroyed, with shards of glass and blood stains evident on all sides.
Fortaleza’s bus attacked after draw at the Arena
- The attack occurred after the match between Sport and Fortaleza at the Arena de Pernambuco;
- Fortaleza’s bus was hit by an explosion and stones, resulting in injuries to players and staff, as well as material damage;
- Six Fortaleza players were injured: Titi, Brítez, João Ricardo, Sasha, Dudu, and Escobar, with the latter being the most affected, requiring stitches.
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Not the First Time
However, this episode is not an isolated case but part of a worrying trend of violence that has plagued Brazilian football in recent years.
Excessive pressure and fans’ unrestrained passion have crossed the boundaries of the stands, resulting in acts of aggression and vandalism against players and teams.
Key Recent Incidents
2024
São Paulo fans break Palmeiras bus window before Supercopa final
In early 2024, before the attack on Fortaleza’s bus, on the eve of the Supercopa final in Belo Horizonte, São Paulo fans broke a window of Palmeiras’ bus, with a police officer firing rubber bullets at the attackers.
Despite the incident, no member of the Palmeiras delegation was injured.
2023
Corinthians fans invade motel and assault Luan, causing rib injuries to the player
In 2023, midfielder Luan, while playing for Corinthians, was brutally assaulted by fans of the club itself at a motel in São Paulo.
Accompanied by five friends and four women at the time, Luan was attacked in the rib area.
The club issued a statement condemning the act of violence against the player, who currently plays for Vitória.
2022
Bahia’s organized group attacks club’s bus, resulting in serious injuries to goalkeeper Danilo Fernandes and left-back Matheus Bahia
In 2022, upon arrival at Arena Fonte Nova for a match against Sampaio Corrêa in the Copa do Nordeste, Bahia’s bus was targeted in an attack by members of an organized fan group of the club.
The ambush, which took place on February 24, 2022, involved cars launching explosive devices at the bus, resulting in serious injuries to some players.
Goalkeeper Danilo Fernandes was the main victim, suffering multiple injuries to his face near the eye that required 20 stitches between ear, face, and leg to be sutured.
In addition to him, left-back Matheus Bahia was also injured. Four months after the incident, four individuals involved in the attack were indicted by the Civil Police.
Grêmio’s bus stoned before a Grenal classic match, leaving three players injured, including Villasanti with a concussion
Also in 2022, the Gre-Nal classic match was postponed due to an attack on Grêmio’s bus. Stones thrown at the vehicle left three players injured, with midfielder Villasanti suffering a concussion and cranial trauma being the most severe case.
Paraná fans invade pitch and assault players after team’s relegation in Paranaense Championship
In the same year, Paraná fans stormed the pitch after a match against União-PR in the Paranaense Championship.
The team was relegated to the state’s second division, and physical confrontations occurred between players and fans, resulting in the throwing of bombs and police using rubber bullets.
