The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against racism, highlighting that it is the first confederation to impose sporting sanctions in its regulations for such acts. However, the lack of support from CONMEBOL, the CBF, and Brazilian clubs towards Argentine fans who suffered assaults and abuses by the police in various matches on Brazilian soil has been noted.
On different occasions, Argentine fans have been subjected to police repression in Brazil, with local clubs showing no solidarity or condemnation towards these acts of violence. Cases such as the attack on Boca fans by the Fluminense supporters in Copacabana, the repression of Arsenal supporters after a match against Atlético Mineiro, or the aggression by Flamengo supporters towards Independiente fans during a South American Cup match are some of the mentioned situations.
One of the most recent episodes involves Palmeiras players who were victims of racist acts by Cerro Porteño fans in a Libertadores U-20 match. This incident highlighted the double standards regarding aggression, as while discriminatory acts by fans are condemned, police violence has been recurrent without substantial measures being taken in this regard.
Luighi and Figueiredo, Palmeiras players, were directly affected by racist gestures during the aforementioned match. Luighi suffered insults and spit, while Figueiredo was the target of racist gestures imitating a monkey. These events, combined with instances of police abuse as reported by Argentine fans in various confrontations in Brazil, reveal a persistent problem in South American football.
In light of this situation, some Brazilian clubs, including Palmeiras, have expressed their intention to pursue justice to the fullest extent. For its part, CONMEBOL has announced disciplinary measures and the adoption of actions to combat racism and violence in football. It is important to emphasize that the lack of solidarity and the complicit silence in these situations only perpetuate an environment of hostility and inequality in the sport.
