Italy had taken such reform steps, the authors noted.

'In Brazil, there has unfortunately been insufficient substantive reactions,' he said.

He said it was unsettling that the number of dead has climbed in the course of the years.

On average, 4.2 Brazilian fans were killed every year over the ten-year period. Between 2004 and 2008, the average was 5.6 deaths per year, and in 2007 and 2008, there were seven killed each year.

'The violence in football is growing because overall violence in the country is increasing. Violence is on the increase because of lack of punishment for crimes and corruption,' Murad charged.

The study was based on newspaper and other media reports, which were later confirmed by court forensics specialists and police officials.