Gunmen raid Brazilian soccer team’s fan club, kill 8

Eight people have been killed in an attack by unknown gunmen on a soccer fan club in Brazil’s southeastern city of Sao Paulo.

Brazilian police said on Sunday that, based on witness accounts, three gunmen attacked the site where team Corinthians’ fan group Pavilhao 9 (Hall 9) meets, ordering people to lie face down on the ground and then killing them.

An eighth victim, who managed to escape, was later taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police have launched an investigation into the deadly attack, with detective Arlindo Jose Negrao saying that the inquiry “is not leading us to believe it was caused by fan rivalry.”

“We even have possible suspects,” he added.

At the time of the incident, the victims were making flags for an anticipated match between Corinthians and Palmeiras on Sunday.

Pavilhao 9 has reportedly close ties with a notorious jail that is now closed.

Fan clubs are said to have a hand in much of the soccer violence that happens in or near Brazilian stadiums.

Last year, dozens of members of another Corinthians fan club, who were angry at the team’s performance, attacked its training center.