Special Group Joy and Safety in Stadiums – GEASE-FLA
Red-Black Nation Project
Planning Department
GAME REPORT FLAMENGO x Atlético PR\ Maracanã – 25/11/07 – 18:15 pm\
Report No. 12
1) TICKET SALES
The ticketing issues were widely reported and covered extensively in the press. We also received complaints from fans who were unable to purchase tickets online, even well in advance, simply because the system was down. We will certainly take this as a lesson for next year, assuring everyone that this issue will be prioritized by the Club and GEASE-Fla.
2) PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE STADIUM
Access to the stadium was very chaotic due to a minor collision involving a bus, which caused chaos in traffic on São Francisco Xavier and Manoel de Abreu streets. The heavy presence of street vendors around the stadium also contributed to traffic disruption and fan access. We noted the providential presence of city inspectors, trying to curb illegal trading in the surrounding area, as seen in the photos below. However, the presence of these inspectors was not enough to reduce the activity of street vendors. We believe that only actions like those that took place during the Pan American Games will improve fan access and exit.
3) STADIUM ENTRANCE
We monitored entry into the stadium, both in the stands and in the lower seats, up to 30 minutes before kickoff and found that there were no difficulties this time. Fans began using the UERJ ramp access more frequently, which avoided the crowds passing through the turnstiles. The gates opening at 15:00 PM and the fans' eagerness to arrive early was another very positive aspect. By 16:30 PM, more than half of the total crowd was already in the stadium. Providing entertainment for early-arriving fans will be a key factor in cementing this custom, greatly facilitating entry to the stadium.
4) PUBLIC
The attendance was 82.044 paying and 87.895 in attendance, a new record since the beginning of the Brazilian championship based on points. Revenue was R$765.564,00. Once again, we found overcrowding in the special seats, with many people watching the game on the access stairs and standing near the booths. The upper aisle in front of the bars becomes impassable during halftime. In the lower seats, the atmosphere is very relaxed and joyful. We noted the presence of entire families, many children, and elderly people in this section, which is encouraging. Some fans fail to understand that this area offers a privileged view and that it is not necessary to watch the game standing. More effective participation by the Military Police is crucial to guide and deter fans who insist on disrespecting the right of those in the back to watch the game. Although all tickets were sold, gaps were noticeable in the white seats and in the sectors to the right of the booths, in the yellow and green ones. What does this mean? In the case of the Whites, the promotion caused many people, to be sure of getting tickets, to buy a seat in a more expensive section, but preferred to be with the Organized Fans. In this case, and also in the case of the regular stands, it means that the lack of sector control overcrowds some areas of the stadium, while others are left with empty seats, unbalancing the distribution of the audience, impacting comfort, circulation, and safety. During halftime, several fights and interventions by the Military Police occurred in the green seats, where the Jovem (Young) is located, causing a stampede and creating insecurity for the fans there. Below is a blunt account from two fans outraged by what they witnessed during and after the match:
"I came to the stadium with my girlfriend, and in one of the bars where the fans hang out, near the "Bar da Jovem," where there wasn't even a single police officer, a general fight broke out over a "robbery." Bottles were thrown, and people ran with children in their arms. In the green stand, on the Torcida Jovem side, in the middle of the first half, several "squads" came down the entrances to fight and rob in the aisles. Upstairs, near the boxes, the police turned a fight between some fans into a general brawl. The registered vendors packed up their coolers and decided to leave the green section because, according to them, when these general fights occur, looting and robberies are common. Pepper spray and batons were distributed in all directions. Several people, including women and children, had to move to the other ring, to the Raça side, which was packed. On the way, we saw people giving up on the game and going down the access ramp; A boy was throwing water in the face of a boy who had been hit by pepper spray; the boy was crying loudly. These events are the main factors that keep people away from stadiums. Clean restrooms, numbered seats, and snacks are important, but our biggest problem continues to be violence. I've been going to Maracanã since I was little; my biggest pastime is going there, but it's sad to have to go alone without taking women and children. And the worst part is seeing children and women crying in the stadium, because I know they won't come back next time. I act in my neighborhood as an ambassador for the stadium, but it's difficult when things like this happen.
"I am writing this email to inform you about some scenes that are not worthy of the biggest and best fans in Brazil. I went to the Fla X Atl PR game yesterday, I arrived early (16:00 p.m.) as always and had no difficulty entering the stadium.
However, what I think is important to remember is that scenes of violence inside the stadium still continue to occur. I watched the game at Raça Rubro Negra Stadium, and I didn't encounter any problems in the stands, even though they were well-behaved for games with large crowds. What's happening is that the scenes of violence previously common on the steps of the stands are now occurring at the entrances to them. I witnessed cowardly acts caused by the actions and reactions of "fans," and worse by police officers. I believe it's very difficult in large crowds to prevent vandals, who will always be seen disguised as fans. But what happened yesterday between the exit of Raça Stadium and the entrance to the UERJ Ramp demonstrated a complete lack of preparation by the military police, who were randomly beating anyone in front of them. This caused a lot of commotion and chaos at the entrances to the stadium exits. We know that there are many problems, especially behavioral ones, but it is clear and obvious that the authorities must know how to separate the troublemakers from the true fans, and offer an increasingly better spectacle to Brazilian Football's Greatest Asset, the fans."
JECRIM - There were seven incidents, three of which were for causing a riot, one for the seizure of 3 tickets, one for possession of fireworks, one for the seizure of a scalper and one for disobedience and resistance.
SUDERJ - Damaged chairs: 20 white and 17 yellow.
We once again emphasize the dedication and commitment of the stadium's engineering staff to improving the performance of Maracanã's audio and video system. The system operators are committed to making optimal use of the large screen to entertain fans. We believe this tool can help encourage fans to arrive early. The initiative to broadcast the team lineups 20 minutes before kickoff is a very good one.
Medical Department - There were 87 cases, none serious. The main reasons were hypertension, stitches and bruises (caused by fighting), alcoholism and excessive drug use, and an elbow fracture. It is important to inform and encourage reflection that 90% of cases are caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
5) ORGANIZED FANS
There was no clash between fans inside the stadium. During halftime, there was a clash between the Jovem fans and the Military Police, and there was a lot of running around. We would like to highlight the presence of the Fla-Sampa, Fla-Brusque, Fla-Cuiabá, and Fla-Fortaleza fans in the stadium, with banners and flags.
6) MAIN OCCURRENCES
We had the presentation of Flamengo's car, which will compete in the Superliga Formula. We witnessed the great effort made by SUDERJ Engineering to ensure the presentation went smoothly, but the presence of reporters and other people who stood directly between the car and the SUDERJ camera overshadowed the event, as the audience couldn't see the car.
The joy and relaxation of the fans before and throughout the match. That's truly the main thing!
7) PARKING
Fans insist on trusting the "parking attendants" and are unpleasantly surprised when they can't find them. If they leave their cars in prohibited areas, they'll be towed away without mercy! We suggest arriving early and parking on side streets but in permitted areas. The Maracanã parking lot worked perfectly.
8) TRAFFIC IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
Chaotic as usual on days with large crowds, but made worse by the large number of street vendors around the stadium.
9) GEASE ACTIONS
We had a very productive meeting with the Coordinator, the VP of Planning, José Maria Sobrinho, and the Director of the Nação Rubro-Negra Project, Mario Cruz. We met with State Secretary Eduardo Paes, president of SUDERJ (Rio Grande do Sul State Sports Federation). Paes was willing to collaborate with GEASE-Fla's objectives and presented us with several initiatives to transform Maracanã into a model stadium. From this date forward, GEASE-Fla and SUDERJ are partners in all initiatives that propose improvements to the comfort and entertainment of fans at Maracanã and its surrounding area.
We will have a meeting with State Representative João Pedro next week to learn about the progress of the bill requiring 30% of tickets to be sold online and to suggest actions to improve fan safety.
Attention fans who wish to volunteer at Maracanã. Express your interest by visiting our website (www.gease-fla.com.br), clicking on "volunteers" and registering.
Partnership: End of Game Blog
GEASE-FLA Team:\ Coordinator: Alexandre Moraes. Members: Mario Cruz, Affonso Romero Dantas, Romualdo Taranto, Paulo Cesar Pereira Filho and Flavio Pereira.\ \
Flamengo Fan Statute\ (Project)\ I – Rights\ The rights of all Flamengo fans are:\
- Easily purchase tickets for games in advance, without hassle, lines, or scalpers. - Have easy access to the stadium, whether by car or public transportation. - Enjoy security around and inside the stadium. - Be guaranteed to watch the games in the seat indicated on the purchased ticket. - Use clean, uncluttered restrooms. - Have access to food outlets that meet hygiene standards and provide prompt service. - Express your feelings and emotions freely and civilly. - Have full visibility of the playing field. - Enjoy the stadium as a place of entertainment and leisure. - Watch the games and move around the stadium with peace of mind, without suffering any physical harm or embarrassment.
II – Duty\ It is the duty of every Flamengo fan:\
- Respect all rights under this Statute and contribute to ensuring that Flamengo's games are held in an atmosphere of joy, peace and cordiality.
\ Note: The Flamengo Fan Statute project will be discussed and approved during the 2008st Virtual Congress of the Red-Black Nation, scheduled for January XNUMX.\