The 2025 Campeonato Baiano final was marked by an unexpected controversy: an employee was fired after a The 2025 Campeonato Baiano final was marked by an unexpected controversy: an employee was fired after a mistake in the Esporte Clube Vitória entrance ceremony. The use of blue smoke—resembling the color of their biggest rival, Bahia—caused outrage among fans and quickly went viral across social media and sports news outlets.
In this article, we’ll break down the incident, club reactions, fan responses, and the impact on the historic Vitória vs. Bahia rivalry.
What Happened?
The incident took place just before kickoff in the highly anticipated final between Vitória and Bahia at the Barradão Stadium. As part of the pre-match festivities, a smoke effect was used to create a celebratory atmosphere as Vitória’s players entered the field. However, instead of the club’s traditional red smoke, blue smoke—Bahia’s color—filled the stadium.
This mistake immediately caused confusion and outrage among fans, with many questioning whether it was an accident or a deliberate act. Due to the uproar, Vitória quickly took action and announced the immediate dismissal of the employee responsible.
Vitória’s Official Statement
Following the controversy, Esporte Clube Vitória released an official statement addressing the situation. The club clarified that the mistake was an individual error by the technician handling the smoke effects and did not represent the club’s values or identity.
“Esporte Clube Vitória informs that the choice of blue smoke during the pre-match ceremony was an unacceptable mistake. The responsible employee has been dismissed, and we reaffirm our commitment to respecting our fans and our club’s traditions.”
The club also stated that new internal measures would be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Reactions from Fans and the Media
The mistake did not go unnoticed, especially among Vitória fans, who took to social media to express their frustration. Some viewed it as a careless oversight, while others speculated whether it was an intentional act of sabotage.
Reactions on social media were intense:
- “Blue smoke in Barradão? This is an outrage!”
- “Was this an accident or sabotage?”
- “Finally, we know who was behind this ridiculous mistake.”
Meanwhile, Bahia fans took the opportunity to mock their rivals:
- “Vitória has finally accepted that blue is the color of champions!”
- “Barradão finally looks good with that blue smoke!”
The sports media also covered the controversy extensively, highlighting how small symbolic details can have a major emotional impact on fans—especially in a historic rivalry like Ba-Vi.
The Intense Rivalry Between Bahia and Vitória
The Bahia vs. Vitória rivalry, known as Ba-Vi, is one of the most intense in Brazilian football. It features two of the biggest fan bases in the Northeast, and every detail in their clashes is taken seriously—including colors.
In football, teams avoid using their rival’s colors at all costs. That’s why the presence of blue smoke in Barradão was seen as more than just a technical mistake—it was a symbolic insult to Vitória’s supporters.
If you want to know how this historic final ended and the most exciting moments of the match, check out:
👉 Bahia Wins the 2025 Campeonato Baiano
Reactions from Players and Coaching Staff
In addition to the fans, Vitória players and coaching staff were also surprised by the mistake. Some players visibly reacted to the blue smoke as they walked onto the field.
One Vitória player commented on the incident:
“We noticed it immediately and didn’t know what to think. But we had to stay focused on the final and not let it distract us.”
A member of the coaching staff also stated that the issue was discussed internally, but the main priority remained the on-field performance.
Conclusion: A Mistake That Will Go Down in Ba-Vi History
The blue smoke controversy in the 2025 Campeonato Baiano final demonstrated how small details can have a big impact in a passionate football rivalry. The mistake led to an employee’s dismissal, became a trending topic among fans, and made headlines across sports media.
Despite the controversy, the most important thing is what happened on the pitch. For more updates on Brazilian football, check out Futebol Nacional.
Watch the Controversial Moment
See the exact moment when the blue smoke was released in Barradão, sparking outrage among fans:
Watch Now – Blue Smoke Controversy at Barradão
