After the case of racism suffered by player Luighi, under-20 athlete of Palmeiras, the club president, Leila Pereira, spoke on Friday (03/07), publicly charging the president of Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez.
– I couldn’t talk to him. Conmebol is being very careless. I’ve been trying since yesterday and I couldn’t, ”said the president before striker Vitor Roque’s presentation at the Football Academy.
After public charges, the manager of the South American Football Federation contacted Leila Pereira, pledging to adopt strict measures against Cerro Porteño. The entity has not yet publicly detailed what these measures will be.
MORE: Paulistan semifinals 2025: See dates and schedules
Part of the pronouncement of President Leila Pereira in the press conference now.
Strong collective. He says the club will go to the last instances to punish those involved, asks for the exclusion of Cerro Porteño from the tournament and speaks of the recurrence of cases by the team of 🇵🇾
– No Clubism (@semclubism_fc)
What did Leila Pereira say about racism against Luighi?
Leila Pereira stated that Palmeiras will ask the exclusion of Cerro Porteño from the competition, claiming that it was not the first time the Paraguayan club attacks the club’s athletes and fans. In addition, he criticized the arbitrator of the match for not being determined by FIFA in cases of racism, that is, to stop the match until the fan was detained by police forces.
In citing cases of racism involving Cerro Porteño, Leila refers to episodes that took place in 2022 and 2023. In the first, fans mimicked mockers towards Palmeiras supporters. The following year, athletes were called monkeys and, when Bruno Tabata went to retaliate the aggression, received four months of suspension.
– It’s a boy. I was extremely moved, upset and angry. But this anger I have to expose in a civilized way. If these criminals are not civilized, we have to be, ”said Leila, in support of Luighi.
MORE: Libertadores 2025: See the groups for the group stage draw
What happened to Luighi?
33 minutes into the second half, Luighi was replaced and when he left the field, he ended up suffering racist insults. In the transmission images, you can see a fan making gestures imitating a monkey for the Palmeiras striker. Soon after, the player was caught crying in the reserve bench.
What was Luighi’s outburst?
After the match, the attacker even gave an interview on the edge of the field. When asked about the game, Palmeirense jewelry made a strong outburst when he was questioned by a reporter about how the game went.
– No no. Is that serious? Are you not going to ask me about the act of racism that occurred today with me? It is serious? How long will we go through this? Tell me, how long? What they did to me is a crime, won’t you ask about it? Will you ask me about the game? What will Conmebol do what about this? Or the CBF, I don’t know. You wouldn’t ask about it, right? I didn’t go. It is a crime what happened today. This is training here, we are here to learn, ”said Luighi.
MORE: Vitor Roque can play Paulista’s semifinal at Palmeiras
Quem is it?
Luighi is a striker and has been playing for Palmeiras since 2012, when he started acting in the U11 category. He went through all the base categories to the under-20 and debuted as a professional last season.
How long does Luighi’s contract go to Palmeiras?
In June 2024, Luighi renewed contract until May 2027. The striker’s termination fine is 55 million euros (about R $ 323 million, in the current price).
