World Cup 2014: Fifa dismiss concerns of Brazil hooliganism after violence mars league match

Four fans had to be taken to hospital at the weekend

Vasco da Gama supporters attack an Atletico Paranaense fan during Sunday's game (Reuters)

Fifa moved quickly on Monday to play down the risk of violence at the World Cup after fighting at a Brazilian league match led to four fans ending up in hospital.

The world governing body condemned the incidents in the southern city of Joinville on Sunday, when fighting halted a match between Atletico Paranaense and Vasco da Gama for more than an hour and led to one man being airlifted from the field. Fifa said “such incidents should not happen in any football stadium,” but noted that it had “a “comprehensive security concept” in place.

However, security in Joinville was provided by private guards instead of police, similar to what is planned for the World Cup.