In South America, a racism scandal after a U-20 game is making headlines. The president of the Brazilian club Palmeiras is disappointed with the punishments handed down and is publicly considering changing the federation.
Tearfully, some U-20 players from the Brazilian club Palmeiras left the field last Thursday. In the Copa Libertadores clash with the Paraguayan team Cerro Porteno, scorer Luighi in particular was massively insulted by the opposing fans after his goal to make the score 3-0, and accompanied the game with racist gestures.
The South American football confederation, Conmebol, responded by imposing sanctions on the multiple Paraguayan champions. In addition to a fine of 50,000 US dollars (around 46,000 euros), the club had to launch an anti-racism campaign on social media and impose a spectator ban. This was not enough for Palmeiras president Leila Pereira.
As the 60-year-old told TNT Sports on Monday, the club, together with other South American clubs, will send a letter to FIFA calling on the world governing body to intervene in cases of racism. In particular, the amount of the fine was met with incomprehension: “If you’re a minute late coming onto the pitch, it’s $100,000. If you light a firecracker, $78,000.” Pereira accused the Conmebol of not taking racism in the league seriously.
President makes serious accusations against Conmebol
“If Conmebol does not respect Brazilian football, we should consider joining Concacaf,” said the woman from near Rio de Janeiro, thus opening a new chapter in the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of current anti-racism measures in South American football. A change would mean the exclusion of Brazilian clubs from the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.
In particular, the financial advantages are crucial for the switch to the North, Central American and Caribbean Confederation. Pereira added that the Brazilian clubs are being treated badly by Conmebol, even though Brazil accounts for more than half of the confederation’s income.
The statements have attracted particular attention in Brazil, where the season also begins at the end of March. The Paraguayan club at the center of the controversy has since released a video showing its players chanting anti-racist slogans and accepting the punishment.
