Defender Gustavo Marques, from Bragantino, apologized after questioning and criticizing referee Daiane Muniz’s selection for the game in which his team was defeated by São Paulo, last Saturday night (21), in the Campeonato Paulista.
“Firstly, I want to talk about the refereeing because there is no point in playing against São Paulo, Palmeiras, Corinthians and them putting a woman to referee a game of this size. It was our dream to reach the semi-finals, or even the final, but she ruined our game. I think the São Paulo Federation has to look at games of this size and not use a woman. All respect to the women of the world, I’m married, I have my mother, so I’m sorry if I’m saying something to women”, declared the defender in an interview after the match with a news team. from the broadcaster TNT.
In a post on social media, the player apologized for the statements made after Bragantino’s 2-1 defeat to São Paulo in the quarter-finals of the competition: “I was hot-headed and very frustrated by our team’s result and I ended up saying what I shouldn’t and could have. This doesn’t justify my attitude and I apologize to all women and especially Daiane […]. I hope to come out of this episode a better person. I promise to learn from this mistake.”
After the match, Bragantino issued a note in which they regretted the episode and stated that they would consider punishing the player: “Red Bull Bragantino is publicly reinforcing its apology to all women and, especially, to referee Daiane Muniz. The club does not condone and repudiate defender Gustavo Marques’ sexist speech, said after the match […]. We know that the weight of an elimination is frustrating, but nothing justifies what was said. Whether in football or in any part of society. The club will study in the coming days the punishment that will be applied to the athlete.”
The São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) also spoke out, which stated that it will forward Gustavo Marques’ statement to the Sports Court: “It is with deep indignation and revolt that the São Paulo Football Federation received the interview with athlete Gustavo Marques, from Red Bull Bragantino, after the match against São Paulo. […]. A statement regarding referee Daiane Muniz that reflects a primitive, sexist, prejudiced and misogynistic vision, incompatible with the values that govern society and football. It is absolutely appalling that an athlete, under any circumstances, would question the ability of a referee based on their gender. The FPF is proud to have 36 referees and assistants on its staff and continues to work actively to make this number grow. […]. The FPF will forward such statements to the Sports Court, so that it can take all appropriate measures”.
