Violent attack on Fortaleza team bus by Sport Recife fans results in player injuries

The match occurred from Wednesday night into Thursday, February 21/22, at 7:30 PM Eastern Time, as part of the championship games of Brazil's northeastern region, the Copa de Nordeste. During this event, Sport Recife welcomed the team from Fortaleza.

The game concluded in a draw. However, it isn't the match outcome that's dominating the headlines. After the game, the visiting players faced an unexpected and violent onslaught as local supporters targeted their bus.

The assault took place near the exit of Arena Pernambuco, the match venue. A faction of hooligans, loyal to Sport Recife, targeted the bus, throwing stones and launching fireworks at it. This unsportsmanlike behavior resulted in injuries to six Fortaleza players, who were subsequently hospitalized.

- Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo suffered a facial cut, left back Gonzalo Escobar has a split lip and a wounded brow arch and was also hit in the head by a cobblestone fragment. Meanwhile, right back Dudu, center backs Titi and Emanuel Britez, and midfielder Lucas Sasha received injuries from the shattered window glass, stated Marcelo Paz, the general director of the club, in an interview with Globo TV. However, he assured that everyone is recovering well.

Fortaleza officials reported the assault to the Brazilian Football Association and called for the authorities to respond to this scandalous event. Sport Recife also expressed solidarity with them.

"Acts of absurd violence are in no way representative of our loyal fanbase or the club's values. The club is ready to assist in the investigation, striving to identify the culprits behind this heinous act," reads their statement.