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The only fan: A football fairy tale from Brazil

Tiago Rech alone in the away stands became a viral image that entwined his fortunes with his team’s. It led to a tumultuous test of family relations and of his love for the club.

In 2012 Tiago Rech was the only Santa Cruz FC fan at a big away game for his team. When they scored, his timid, lone celebration was caught by TV cameras and went viral. All this attention earned him a role with the club, where full of ideas and enthusiasm, he made his way to the very top - to his dream job of football club president. But there would be a sting in this fairy tale.

Producer/presenter: Andrea Kennedy

Clips courtesy of Federação Gaúcha de Futebol and Canal Duda Garbi.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Tiago Rech alone in the stands. Credit: RBS TV)

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41 minutes

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