BRASILIA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sunday's opening day of the Mineiro championship, in the state of Minas de Gerais, was marred by the death of a fan amidst a fight between fan groups of Cruzeiro and Atletico-MG.

    The man was not involved in the fight and is considered to be an innocent victim of Sunday's violence. One other man who participated in the fight is in critical condition.

    According to the Military Police, Samuel de Souza Tobias, a fan of Atletico-MG, was trying to run away from the brawl when he tripped up and fell to the ground.

    The fall may have been severe, and subsequently may have caused his death. He was taken to the Joao XXIII Emergency Hospital but arrived dead. The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

    "I want to make it clear that there was not a homicide at the stadium. The fan was not involved in the fight and in fact was probably scared by the brawl. While attempting to run from the violence, he fell and was severely injured. He was taken to the Joao XXIII Emergency Hospital, but arrived lifeless," said Sergeant Ravilson Aparecido of the Military Police.

    The 22-year-old fan of Cruzeiro, Lucas Monnerat Silva, was also injured in the violence. He was allegedly attacked by fans of Atletico-MG and suffered severe head trauma.

    "He is being analyzed by neurologists, took an MRI and it appears that he was beaten on the head by fists. I am going to analyze the results and verify if he has any inner cerebral damage," said doctor Paulo Sergio Suarez.

    According to sergeant Aparecido, the largest fan groups of both teams were at Sunday's game: Galoucura and Blue Mafia. The two factions meet on the streets of Minas de Gerais around 13h30 local time of Brasilia.

    As a consequence of the confrontation, one fan was severely cut on his forehead and was full of bruises on his face.