Two Brazilian football clubs have been ordered to play a combined 20 matches at neutral venues following a fan riot that left four people in hospital last Sunday.
Brazil’s superior sport justice tribunal Friday handed Curitiba’s Atletico Paranaense a 12-match home ban while Vasco da Gama were stripped of eight games in Rio de Janeiro, reports Xinhua.
The tribunal ordered the matches played at least 100 km away from the clubs’ home venues and that half of them be played behind closed doors.
In addition, Atletico Paranaense were fined 140,000 reais ($60,000) and Vasco, who were relegated to Brazil’s second division after losing the match 1-5, were fined 80,000 reais.
Both clubs vowed to appeal the sentences.
Police announced Thursday that three people had been charged with attempted homicide and remanded in isolated cells.
Doubts over World Cup
The incident raised fears about Brazil’s ability to successfully stage next year’s World Cup.
World football governing body FIFA released a statement condemning the violence and guaranteeing fan safety during the June 12-July 13 tournament.
Brazil’s World Cup preparations have also been beset by stadium construction delays and anti-government rallies that began during the Confederations Cup in June.
Stadium safety was brought into sharp focus earlier this month after two workers died when a crane collapsed at Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao stadium.
