Rio de Janeiro, July 20 (DPA) Brazil, with 42 fans dead during ten years of football violence, tops the world's tragic list, according to a study.

The study's authors said Sunday that the numbers were of major concern, especially with Brazil's role as host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The study included deaths that occurred in or around the stadium during violent clashes with other fans, said Mauricio Murad of the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). The study, called 'A Sad, Perverse Achievement', covered the time frame 1999-2008.

'As we began the study, Brazil was in third place in comparison to other countries. Italy topped the list, followed by Argentina and Brazil,' Murad said Sunday in an interview with the state news agency Agencia Brazil.

Today, ten years after the study began, Brazil leads the list. The violence is according to Murad a major concern for the country, especially with its role in 2014. Public security is a major issue at the World Cup events.

One reason for the disturbing trend is that Brazil in the past has failed to enact laws to address violence between rival fan groups, the scientists said.