Football is in the blood of most Brazilians, but how willing are the fans of samba football to give some of the red stuff away?
That’s exactly what club side Vitoria are attempting to find out in a revolutionary move.
The Serie B outfit have dropped the red from their shirts to let their fans know about the importance of doing ‘something amazing’.
Players have swapped their red-and-black hooped shirts for, well, black and white ones and urged supporters to get on board with the campaign.
At their last match, they carried a banner onto the pitch which read: ‘Vitoria has always given its blood for you. It’s time for you to give yours.’
The club plans to add a red hoop back after each match.
Vitoria’s president Alexi Portela Junior said: ‘We wanted to do more than just ask fans to give blood.
‘With this initiative, fans of the red and black can participate more actively in the campaign and they will see the importance of a gesture like this that can help save countless lives.’
It is unknown whether high donation rates amongst Geordies inspired the move, or how Manchester United and Liverpool fans would feel about their teams playing in white.
Blood donation rates in Brazil are at a dangerously low level at 2%, with the World Health Organisation recommending that the figure should be at least three.
A bit like football in July, the demand for blood never stops but the supply does. Vitoria will hope they can victoriously reverse the trend.