Coritiba pays tribute to English fan Jonny Butcher in match against
Why this matters
Coritiba's tribute to Jonny Butcher highlights football's ability to unite people, regardless of geographical distances. This gesture not only reinforces the emotional connection between the club and its fans, but also brings visibility to issues such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, promoting empathy and solidarity in the community.
Context
Jonny Butcher, a dedicated Coritiba fan, began his relationship with the club through his wife, Ana Clara, and his brother-in-law, Lucas Espinoza. His life story and fight against ALS exemplify the strength of the love for football, which transcends borders and connects people in difficult times.
Main conclusions
- Coritiba pays tribute to English fan Jonny Butcher in match against.
- The passion for Coritiba goes beyond borders and unites Jonny Butcher, an English fan diagnosed with ALS, to his favorite team.
- Coritiba pays tribute to English fan Jonny Butcher in match against Chapecoense.
Jonny's relationship with Coritiba began in England. A fan of Norwich City, a club that maintains a historic friendship with Coritiba, he met the team through his wife, Ana Clara, who is from Curitiba. With the help of his brother-in-law, Lucas Espinoza, a passionate Coritiba fan, his love for the club grew. This identification gave rise to a passion that is now part of Jonny's daily life.
Currently, the couple resides in Norwich, a city in eastern England, around 190 km from the capital, London. Even more than nine thousand kilometers from Curitiba, Jonny follows the games during the early hours of the morning, British time. He celebrates each victory and closely follows the development of the team's young talents. Among them, striker Lucas Ronier stands out, a player he greatly admires for the dedication and talent shown in the Palmeiras shirt.
"I was very happy to hear about Jonny's story and that he follows Coritiba even from so far away. I had the opportunity to visit Norwich, so this connection became even more special for me. I can only thank him for all the affection and for carrying Coritiba's name with so much pride", commented Lucas Ronier.
Jonny's story began to take shape in 2023, when he and Ana met online at a church. At the time, Coritiba and Norwich City FC had already established a partnership to exchange experiences. "When I found out that Ana was born in Curitiba, I went to visit the city. And it was very special", recalls Jonny. "We even went together to meet Couto Pereira up close. Now I'm a Coritiba fan", he says with great effort, as the aggressive disease forces him to struggle with speech and breathing difficulties.
Jonny Butcher, Ana Clara Butcher and Lucas Espinoza were together in Curitiba in July 2023. They tried to watch a Coritiba game during their stay, but the tickets were already sold out. The Coritiba fan brothers took the opportunity to take Jonny to visit the Coritiba store, take photos around the stadium, with the imposing Couto Pereira facade and make plans to watch a game together again.
However, the dream gave way to the biggest challenge of their lives. In November 2023, Ana went to live with her great love in England. They got engaged in January 2024 and married in September of the same year. On the first day of the honeymoon, Jonny began to feel the first signs of the disease, starting with discomfort in his shoulder and lack of strength for simple movements. Following investigations with specialists in England, the diagnosis of ALS was confirmed following a teleconsultation with Maiara Silva Tramonte, a renowned neurologist and palliative care doctor in Curitiba, in February 2026.
A huge loss for Jonny, Ana Clara and the whole family. Since then, the couple has gained notoriety on social media by sharing their story of overcoming. They even managed to raise funds, through donations, so that Jonny could fulfill his last wishes. One of these wishes, expressed in one of his most viewed videos on Instagram, was precisely to watch Couto Pereira and see Coxa play at home.
Touched by this story, Coritiba will pay a special tribute to Jonny this Saturday (8) in the match against Chapecoense, which starts at 8:30 pm at Couto Pereira, valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. Players will wear an exclusive shirt in honor of Jonny, with the message “JONNY BUTCHER” and “Your strength inspires us. We are one”. During their entry onto the field, the players will display a banner in support of Jonny, signed by Coritiba athletes, staff and fans, in a gesture of unity and affection.
And you can also be part of this tribute: the banner will be available for signatures from 6:30 pm. The tribute will also give rise to a charitable initiative. The t-shirts worn by the athletes during the match will be donated to Jonny's family and to an institution that provides assistance to people with rare diseases, including ALS, helping to raise awareness about the disease and support those who face its challenges daily.
In addition to the t-shirts, players will enter the field with a banner containing the same message. There will also be the presence of Lucas, Jonny's brother-in-law, with whom he would like to have made this dream come true. Support for this initiative was also made possible by the club's official sponsors, who will participate in this special moment and will be part of the historic uniform, a symbol of the love of the entire Coritiba nation: Diadora, Ademicon, Paraná Banco, JFK, Master Cargas and DS Indústria de Peças Automotivas.
"Just knowing that Coritiba is showing us all this affection makes a huge difference in our lives", says Ana Clara Butcher, Jonny's wife and inseparable companion in this fight. "Unfortunately, it is now impossible to travel to Brazil because of the disease. It is a disease that progresses very quickly. Today, it is already affecting his breathing, his ability to swallow and his voice. But we are immensely grateful for this contact we are having with Coxa, having the opportunity to participate in this even from afar. What Coritiba is doing for us makes Jonny feel even more loved. It shows that football goes further, it touches people's lives more than we imagine. It even touched our lives", he declares.
Jonny Butcher's story shows that being a Coritiba fan goes beyond geography. It is a feeling capable of uniting people from different countries, cultures and languages around the same passion. At the Couto Pereira stadium, against Chapecoense, this passion will take on an even greater meaning: transforming a story of overcoming into a message of solidarity, hope and awareness.
What happens next
During the game against Chapecoense, Coritiba is expected to hold a special ceremony in honor of Jonny, which may include the display of messages of support and the presence of fans who share the same passion. It is hoped that this event will inspire other clubs to recognize and celebrate the dedication of their fans, regardless of where they are.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Jonny Butcher?
Jonny Butcher, an English Coritiba fan, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and received a tribute during a match against Chapecoense.
Who confirmed the tribute to Jonny Butcher?
The tribute to Jonny Butcher was confirmed by Coritiba during the match against Chapecoense.
Why has a tribute to Jonny Butcher been paid now?
The tribute was made in recognition of Jonny's passion for Coritiba, despite facing a serious illness.
What changes have occurred in Jonny Butcher's life?
Jonny Butcher, diagnosed with ALS, decided to face his condition with hope and created a list of dreams, including seeing a Coritiba game.
How did Jonny Butcher's relationship with Coritiba begin?
Jonny Butcher began supporting Coritiba through his wife, Ana Clara, who is from Curitiba, and through the historic friendship between Norwich City and Coritiba.