An injured fan is carried on a stretcher after clashes with team fans during a Brazilian league soccer match between Atletico Paranaense and Vasco da Gama in Joinville, southern Brazil, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. A key Brazilian league match was stopped Sunday after fans started fighting in the stands and a helicopter had to land on the pitch to airlift a seriously injured man. A doctor said two other fans were hospitalized in serious condition and one was treated for a minor injury at the stadium. (AP Photo/Carlos Moraes, Agencia O Dia) (The Associated Press)
SAO PAULO – Brazilian government officials say the security model used for the upcoming World Cup should be implemented in local matches to reduce fan violence.
The announcement comes less than a week after hundreds of rival fans fought inside a stadium in the final round of the Brazilian league. Police used rubber bullets and an injured fan was airlifted to a hospital.
After a meeting in Brasilia on Thursday, high-level government officials say the World Cup security plan successfully tested in the Confederations Cup should be used for local competitions.
The plan includes an integrated intelligence service and security control centers inside stadiums.
The officials say other efforts to reduce violence will be discussed by a working group before the end of the year.
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