A football supporter has horrifically been burned to death by a rival group of fans out in Brazil. The awful incident came soon after top division side Cruzeiro were defeated by Athletico Paranaense 3-0. The travelling Cruzeiro fans, who are believed to have been part of ultras fan-base 'Mafia Azul', were on their way back home when their coach was attacked with fireworks.
It burst into flames and claimed the life of a man identified by Brazilian police as 30-year-old Jose Victor dos Santos Miranda. 12 people are understood to have been left seriously injured, with many believed to have suffered gunshot wounds. Reports from Brazil claim the attack was organised and carried out by the 'Mancha Alviverde' group, who support Cruzeiro's rival fan-base Palmeiras.
They were understood to be returning from their side's 2-2 draw with Fortaleza in the capital of Sao Paulo on a different bus. In response to the tragic event, Cruzeiro released a statement that said: "Cruzeiro deeply regrets another episode of violence among supporters. This time during early morning hours on Fernão Dias Highway, which resulted in a Cruzeiro fan's death and several injuries.
"There is no room for violence in football, a sport that unites passions and crowds. We need to put an end to these criminal acts." Palmeiras also sent a message of their own that said: " Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras repudiates scenes of violence staged on Fernão Dias Highway this Sunday morning.
Football cannot serve as a backdr.