São Paulo derbies could see return of away fans as police reopen debate | OneFootball

The end of single-fan matches in São Paulo is back on the agenda, with police officer César Saad saying stadium security in 2026 is very different to 2016. The debate sharpened after organised fan groups filed a test proposal with the state federation and prosecutors.

"Is it viable to bring back both sets of fans? Yes, it is. If we did not believe in dialogue and shared responsibility, we would not be starting these conversations." According to Meu Timao, he was speaking on its Tabelando programme.

Saad said police now use biometrics and facial recognition, backed by Smart Sampa and Operação Muralha. Together with the Lei Geral do Esporte on fan responsibility, he believes joint, preventative operations can run game by game.

He cited Portuguesa v Corinthians at Canindé on Sunday, where each club had 50% of tickets and no incidents were recorded. He said conduct once brushed off as fan fights is now treated as crime, and the positive atmosphere should be preserved and expanded.

He pointed to the Máfia Azul case in Mairiporã, which led to 44 arrest warrants after suspects were identified by technology. Detainees can be processed at stadium command posts with immediate hearings and precautionary bans, he said.

Technical meetings with the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office are planned in the coming weeks to shape a plan. Saad said any change would be gradual, adding that implementation would begin step by step if criteria are met.

Source: Meu Timao