Striker Luighi of the Palmeiras under-20 team was the target of racial injury in the Copa Libertadores game of his category against Cerro Porteño, this Thursday (6), in Paraguay.
During the confrontation, fans of the rival team made gestures imitating monkey in the direction of Brazilian. The match, valid for the quarterfinals, was not paralyzed at the time.
After the confrontation, asked about his team’s performance, Luighi scolded the reporter of the official broadcast of the tournament, who had ignored the episode on the field.
“It hurts the soul,” he said, minutes later, in a publication on social networks. “It’s the same pain that all blacks have felt throughout history, because things evolve, but they are never 100% resolved.”
Also on social networks, Palmeiras said in a statement that the new episode of racism in a Conmebol competition is “inadmissible” and “disgusting”.
“The Sports Society Palmeiras provides all solidarity with the club athletes who are disputing the Libertadores U-20 in Paraguay and communicates that they will go to the last instances so that everyone involved in this disgusting episode of discrimination are properly punished,” the club wrote.
In a statement, Conmebol said it rejects any act of racism or discrimination and has pledged to apply appropriate discipline measures.
Rivals and players provide solidarity
After the game, Palmeiras rival players and clubs in Brazilian football provided solidarity with Luighi.
São Paulo congratulated the player’s speech and also charged Conmebol’s answers.
“Congratulations on your courage and your outburst, Luighi. You represented millions of people who can no longer suffer criminal acts like this,” wrote the team profile.
Corinthians, Palmeiras’ largest rival, republished the official note on their X -profile, former Twitter, stating that support is “above any rivalry.”
“Sport Club Corinthians Paulista sympathizes with athlete Luighi, reiterating the absolute repudiation of racist acts that often happen against Brazilian players,” he wrote.
In the player’s publication, athlete Roni, who defended Palmeiras and is now at Atlético Mineiro, thickened the list of charges to the entity that commands football in South America.
Flaco López, Argentine clubmate of Luighi Club, also spoke. “I’m with you, brother,” he said.
