Soccer riots in Brazil claimed the life of a man who was killed by a toilet bowl thrown from the stands at Arruda Stadium, the latest scene of fan violence that has plagued the country in the lead-up to next month’s World Cup.
Globoesporte of Brazil reported that rioters ripped three toilets from the stadium bathroom and tossed them from the stands during Friday night’s 1-1 draw between Santa Cruz and Parana. One of the toilets struck a fan identified as 26-year-old Paulo Ricardo Gomes da Silva, killing him instantly.
“The toilet was thrown from the stands and hit him full on,” police captain Wilson Queiroz told Globesporte.
“The victim was with someone at the time but everyone fled the scene after the incident.”
Soccer and violence are an all-too-common mix in Brazil, which is just weeks away from hosting the World Cup amid growing security fears.
An amateur game in the state of Maranhao turned into a grisly murder scene in July when a referee was stoned to death and decapitated by fans after he fatally stabbed a player.
Months later, disturbing images from a soccer riot between Atletico Paranaense and Vasco da Gama fans – requiring police to air-lift a critically injured fan to a nearby hospital – prompted an official response from FIFA, with soccer’s governing body guaranteeing “a very comprehensive security concept” would be in place for the tournament that begins on June 12.
During last year’s Confederations Cup, considered a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to protest against government corruption. Many of the marches turned violent and were blamed for at least ten deaths.
