Football fan attacked in São Paulo dies

The brain death of Gilberto Torres Pereira, 31, who was attacked last Sunday (Aug 17) during a brawl among football fans, was confirmed by the Franco da Rocha State Hospital this Wednesday night (20). The fight took place in the town of Franco da Rocha, São Paulo.

Pereira suffered a skull fracture after being hit with a stick. Involved in the brawl were members of Mancha Verde and Gaviões da Fiel, fan clubs of  football teams Palmeiras and Corinthians, respectively.

According to the police report, the brawl started when fans from both sides clashed at a train station, though no match between the two teams had taken place. The Palmeira fans were heading for the Pacaembu Stadium to watch the Palmeiras-São Paulo game, a classic among Brazilians. The member of the Corinthians club had left a party at the headquarters of Gaviões da Fiel, a samba school associated with this football team.

This Thursday afternoon (21) the São Paulo Civil Police filed a court request for the preventive detention of town councilor Raimundo Faustino, affiliated with the Workers’ Party. He was accused of also taking part in the fight that resulted in Pereira’s death.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira