SAO PAULO (AP) The largest fan group of Brazilian club Palmeiras is responding to criticism from Chilean playmaker Jorge Valdivia by saying it will sue him for slander.
The Manch Alvi Verde group said in a statement Friday it will go to court to defend itself against Valdivia's comments that the group did not have the right to jeer players because its members receive free tickets to attend matches.
The statement said "Valdivia will have to prove his allegations" about the free tickets.
Valdivia and Mancha have been at odds before. Known as one of the most violent groups in Brazil, it threatened to physically attack the player at an airport after he provoked them during a Copa Libertadores match this year.
Palmeiras is Brazil's fourth-most popular club with about 16 million supporters.
