The Public Ministry of Ceará (MPCE) is currently investigating disturbing messages that have surfaced on the internet, purportedly from a criminal faction, which issue directives to leaders of organized fan groups in Ceará, prohibiting fights between supporters of local football teams Ceará and Fortaleza. The messages have been confirmed to have reached the MPCE, which is looking into the implications of such orders on fan behavior, particularly in light of violence that occurred recently during a significant match between the two teams.

On Sunday, the first Clássico-Rei of the 2026 season took place, during which extensive brawling broke out among supporters across different locations in the capital. Reports from the Military Police indicated that approximately 350 individuals were detained, encompassing both adults and adolescents, reflecting a serious escalation in fan violence, which has been a growing concern in Brazilian football culture. The implications of this violence extend beyond immediate public safety concerns, calling into question the influence and power of criminal organizations within sports.

In light of the violence, leaders of two major organized supporter groups have publicly renounced their positions via recorded messages. Weslley Paulo, also known as Dudu, and Anderson Xiboi have announced their resignation from the Torcida Organizada Cearamor (TOC) and the Torcida Uniformizada do Fortaleza (TUF), respectively. This dramatic turn of events highlights the internal struggles within these groups amid external pressures from law enforcement and criminal organizations, further complicating the landscape of fan culture in Ceará.