Former minister stated that no one can make a player’s opinions a reason to persecute him; Neymar said the judge had woken up “from Chico”
The former minister and pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic for (Christian Democracy), (SP), this Monday (April 6, 2026) the player from Santos, of the criticism that after saying that the match referee had woken up “de Chico”
The attacker’s statement came after Santos’ 2-0 victory over Remo, on Thursday (April 2). The expression made against judge Sávio Pereira Sampaio It is considered pejorative and used to refer to the menstrual period. The athlete may be reported to the (Superior Court of Sports Justice).
In his speech, the former minister stated that no one is obliged to agree with the player’s opinions. He said, however, that no one can use Neymar’s personal opinions as a reason to persecute him, defame him or move “hate campaign” against him.
Rebelo compared the situation with other athletes and mentioned that e they may have had opinions with which he did not agree. According to Rebelo, this did not diminish his admiration, respect and gratitude as a Brazilian.
“But that didn’t diminish my admiration, my respect and my debt of gratitude as a Brazilian. Because they promoted the name of my country, they made my country respected, admired throughout the world. For what they did on the field, off the field. Naturally, everyone has their own life and everyone has their own opinion”he stated.
“But you have to take into account that what he has most public, which is his performance as a football player, his history as a football player, that needs to be respected.”
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