Fans and officials discuss away fans’ return at São Paulo derbies

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Central do Timão

·12 février 2026

Fans and officials discuss away fans’ return at São Paulo derbies

By Henrique Vigliotti and Vinícius Lucio / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The main organized supporter groups of Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, and Santos took part last Wednesday (11th) in a meeting with representatives from the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), the Military Police (PM), and the Sports Intolerance Crimes Repression Police Station (DRADE), at the Barra Funda Forum. The meeting aimed to align logistics and security strategies for Sunday (15th), when the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) will hold simultaneous matches of the four major state clubs for the last round of the Paulistão group stage.

The meeting sought to coordinate preventive actions in light of the increased flow of fans in different regions of the capital and Greater São Paulo. During the meeting, each institution reaffirmed its operational responsibilities: the organized supporter groups presented proposals aimed at preventing clashes, the Military Police detailed the policing scheme plan, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasized its supervisory role regarding compliance with legal norms.

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Photo: Vinicius Lucio/ Central do Timão

In addition to practical security aspects, the discussion also reignited the debate about the return of both sets of fans to state derbies. According to those present, there was consensus that advances in monitoring, identification, and access control technologies could contribute to a gradual return, within parameters considered safe by the authorities.

The representatives of the supporter groups argued to the authorities that, if it is possible to mobilize police forces throughout the state to ensure the safety of a full matchday, it would also be feasible to hold derbies with both sets of fans, without conflicts inside or around the stadiums. On the occasion, each group presented its proposals and committed to adopting measures to prevent clashes on the way to the sports venues.

The single-fan policy for derbies held in the state of São Paulo was implemented in 2016 and marks ten years in effect this season. The measure was adopted at the time by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office after the death of an elderly fan on April 3rd of that year, during a clash involving Palmeiras and Corinthians supporters.

In a statement, Gaviões da Fiel highlighted their willingness to maintain institutional dialogue and collaborate with initiatives that promote safer environments in São Paulo football. The last round of the Paulistão group stage will determine the qualifiers for the knockout phase and is expected to draw a large crowd. Corinthians will go to ABC Paulista to face São Bernardo at 8:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Estádio Primeiro de Maio.

See below the official statement published by Gaviões:

“SUPPORTER GROUPS MEET WITH SECURITY AUTHORITIES

On the afternoon of Wednesday (11th), the board of Gaviões da Fiel Torcida took part in a meeting with prosecutor Dr. Daniela Hashimoto, prosecutor Dr. Roberto Bacal, DRADE representative, delegate Dr. César Antônio Saad, Major Arcanjo from the 2nd Shock Battalion, and representatives of three other organized supporter groups from the capital. The meeting addressed logistics and security in view of the unprecedented decision by the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) to schedule simultaneous matches for the four major clubs next Sunday (15/2).

The Public Prosecutor’s Office had already officially notified the Federation more than once, warning of the risks. The FPF maintains contractual autonomy and upheld the decision, thus assuming responsibility for organizing the event.

During the meeting, each institution reaffirmed its role. The supporter groups presented an action plan to avoid encounters and reduce risks during travel. The Military Police guaranteed operations to ensure order and protection at the sports venues. The Public Prosecutor’s Office reinforced its role in monitoring compliance with the law and safeguarding citizens’ well-being.

The situation reignites the debate over the return of both sets of fans to stadiums. With widely available technology, such as facial biometrics and modern control systems, it is past time to ensure that rival fans can coexist safely, restoring the essence of football and the spectacle of the stands.

The meeting marked the beginning of a broader negotiation and reinforces the willingness of organized supporter groups to engage in dialogue, collaborate, and demand responsibility from the institutions that run São Paulo football. We continue working and fighting for the return of both sets of fans to the stadiums.”

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