Violence in Brazil: Vasco da Gama and Atlético Paranaense in court before end of 2013

"Given the seriousness of this case we must make a judgement now as everyone wants a response - we shall not leave it til 2014," said Flavio Zveiter, president of STJD (Brazil's Supreme Tribunal for Sporting Justice), on the 10/12/2013. He was referring to the serious incidents between supporters of Vasco da Gama and Atlético Paranaense, on the 08/12/2013.

Clashes between supporters caused the death of a man on the last day of the Brazilian championship between Vasco da Gama and Atlético Paranaense (1-5) in the Joinville Arena (Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil), on the 08/12/2013.

The match was classified as high risk and had been relocated to Joinville, a neutral ground, because of previous clashes between supporters of the two clubs, one based in Rio de Janeiro (Vasco da Gama) and one in Curitiba, in the State of Parana (Atlético Paranaense).

Paulo Schmitt, the STJD prosecutor, refused to accede to the request by Vasco da Gama to have the match replayed, on the 10/12/2013. The club complained that the referee had delayed the game for an hour and thirteen minutes, while…