Corinthians Push to Lift Fan Group Ban After Paulistão Final Incidents
Brazilian football giants Corinthians are making a concerted effort to overturn the suspension of two of their most iconic fan groups, Gaviões da Fiel and Camisa 12, following incidents during the Paulistão final earlier this year. The club has launched a formal appeal to the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF), arguing that the ongoing ban is counterproductive and detrimental to the team’s morale and stadium atmosphere.
Background: Trouble at the Paulistão Final
The FPF imposed the ban in May 2025 after violent altercations broke out involving organized Corinthians supporters in the stands and outside the stadium during the final match against São Paulo FC. Clashes resulted in multiple injuries and forced authorities to conduct a rapid review of crowd control policies. Both Gaviões da Fiel and Camisa 12, which have long-standing reputations for passionate — and sometimes extreme — support, were barred from attending matches, organizing official displays, or representing the club at sanctioned events.
This marked one of the most severe disciplinary actions against fan groups in recent years and drew criticism from various stakeholders, including some civil rights groups who argued the punishment unfairly affected thousands of law-abiding supporters.
Club Response: Diplomacy and Reform
Corinthians have since adopted a two-pronged approach: lobbying for leniency while also promising to implement stricter supporter oversight. In a meeting held this week with FPF officials, club legal representatives submitted documentation outlining steps taken to mitigate further incidents. These include:
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Enhanced security protocols at the Neo Química Arena
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A proposed fan registry and behavioral code
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A commitment to partner with community leaders and police to identify agitators
The club’s legal counsel, Marcelo Dantas, emphasized the social impact of the ban:
“These fan groups are not just about football — they are cultural institutions. Their absence from matches has created a vacuum that affects player motivation, matchday energy, and even local commerce.”
Divided Opinions
The FPF remains cautious. A spokesperson from the Federation stated:
“We understand the cultural role of these fan groups, but safety must remain the priority. We will review the appeal, but only clear and verifiable reforms will allow reconsideration before the ban’s scheduled expiration in December.”
Public opinion is split. Some fans support the club’s appeal, viewing the ban as a collective punishment for the actions of a few. Others believe stricter enforcement is long overdue, pointing to a history of disturbances linked to organized fan groups.
Impact on the Team
Since the ban, several Corinthians players and coaching staff have commented on the lack of traditional energy in home fixtures. Head coach Dorival Júnior recently remarked:
“Our supporters are our twelfth man. The silence in the stands is noticeable. It affects momentum, especially in tight matches.”
Attendance figures have also dipped slightly, with some ticket holders choosing to boycott in solidarity with the banned groups.
What Happens Next?
The FPF is expected to deliver a preliminary ruling on the appeal later this month. If the ban is lifted or relaxed, conditions will likely be attached — possibly including probationary periods, limited seating allocations, or supervised group behavior programs.
In the meantime, Corinthians continue to campaign behind the scenes, hoping to restore a vital part of their identity as they pursue a strong finish in the Brasileirão and a deep run in the Copa do Brasil.
