Coritiba Honors English Fan with MND on Matchday Shirts

During a recent league match against Chapecoense, Brazilian football club Coritiba displayed the name of Jonny Butcher, an English fan diagnosed with motor neurone disease, on their shirts to promote awareness of the condition.

Butcher, a 29-year-old from Norwich, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in February. His connection to Coritiba began after meeting his wife, Ana Clara, a native of the city, and the couple's shared interest in the club was further solidified by a partnership formed between Coritiba and Norwich City in 2022.

In a show of support, Coritiba players wore shirts featuring Butcher's name and a message of solidarity, along with a sunflower symbolizing awareness for non-visible disabilities. The club plans to send some of the shirts to Butcher's family and organizations that assist those with rare diseases.