Beware of the hostile atmosphere surrounding the clashes at Mineirão between Flamengo and Atlético-MG. This is the main warning to Flamengo fans who will watch this Sunday's match, starting at 16 p.m., at Belo Horizonte's main stadium. The concern is so great that last Thursday, President Marcio Braga sent a letter to Minas Gerais Governor Aécio Neves, requesting special security precautions due to outbreaks of incitement to violence observed online. In the message to the governor (see facsimile of the letter below), Marcio Braga places Flamengo at the disposal of the Minas Gerais government. "It is essential that we are prepared to avoid any type of incident," says the Flamengo president.

Any Flamengo fan spotted near the stadium runs the risk of being attacked by Atlético's organized fan groups, warns a pre-match report by Gease-Fla, the acronym for the Special Group for Happiness and Safety in Stadiums, an initiative of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo through its Vice-Presidency of Planning. "Therefore, it recommends not wearing the shirt or any club apparel outside the stadium and walking in small groups to minimize this risk," the report states.

Produced with the support of volunteers, including residents of the cities where the games are taking place, the report provides another clue: The appearance of large groups of fans (not wearing the local club's jersey) shows that they are fans of the opposing team.

Gease-Fla also warns against the usual clash between rival organized fans, which transcends the stadium's surroundings, and advises that access for Flamengo fans should be via Av. Antônio Abrahão Caram, close to the Mineirinho gymnasium.

But not everything is worrying. One of the attractions at Mineirão is feijão tropeiro (a type of Brazilian dish). "This typical Minas Gerais dish is served in the snack bars on the stadium ring and at stalls around the stadium," reports Gease-Fla.

More information: http://www.gease-fla.com.br/

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