Ramon Souza: Gremio Anapolis vs Oeste Centro Brazilian league match descended into chaotic scenes. A Brazilian military policeman was seen in a now-viral footage, firing on one of the players during the match.
The player, who was later identified as Ramon Souza, was seen in the footage, limping off the scene with groans of agony after being fired by the policeman.
While the Identity of the policeman has to be unraveled, there have been questions over what may have warranted such violence by the security official.
According to Brazilian outlet, Globo, the incident occurred due to a pitchside violence that erupted after the match. The home side, Gremio Anapolis, reportedly won the match 2-1 after the final whistle but tensions were simmering between players of the opposite camps.
At the end of the match, the tension soared between the two sides, appearing to get out of hand. While the situation was yet to slip into a full-blown brawl, the players were arguing and confronting each other before the policeman intervened.
Souza’s role in the fallout has yet to be detailed but it appeared he advanced menacingly towards the police, promoting the latter to fire rubber bullets at him.
Footages of the incident, shared on social media, showed the footballer badly injured in the thighs where he was shot. The rubber had driven deep into his body, causing a gruesome-looking open injury.
Immediately after being shot, Souza limped off the scene. He was later seen in footage stretched off the field.
Further reports indicated he had to be hospitalized for prompt medical attention to prevent the deterioration of the injury.
Sharing their narrative of the incident, Souza’s club, Gremio Anapolis, confirmed the policeman fired rubber bullets on Souza after the match. Described the incident as cowardly and horrible, adding they will ensure the policeman is brought to justice.
“The Anapolis Guild comes to the public to repudiate the unfortunate, ridiculous, and revolting event”, a statement from the club reads.
“After the end of the match against Centro Oeste, our goalkeeper Ramon Souza was cowardly hit by a rubber bullet, carried out by a police officer.
“A horrible, unbelievable and criminal act by someone who should value the safety and integrity of the people, who were there at the Jonas Duarte Stadium.”
Reacting to the report, the Military Police of the State of Goias, an administrative body for police personnel in Goias, condemned the act and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring proper and professional conduct by all its members.
The body also added an investigation will be launched into the incident to ascertain the facts and take appropriate action.
“it has immediately determined to open an administrative procedure to investigate the facts with due rigour”.
“We are committed to complying with the law, and reiterates that it does not condone any misconduct practised by its members”.
Who is Ramon Souza?
Ramon Souza is a professional footballer playing for Anapolis in the Goia State football league. Not much is known about the player. He was thrust into the spotlight following the shooting incident during the Gremio Anapolis vs match. Ramon Souza plays as a goalkeeper for the team.
The shooting in the incident involving Ramon further beams searchlight on the problem of football-related violence and the high-handedness of match security officials.
