After five cases of racism directed at fans of Brazilian clubs in Libertadores matches, almost all in the same week in April, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) finally changed the article in the disciplinary code on discrimination.
On Monday night (9), Conmebol announced the increase in fines imposed on teams whose fans commit acts of prejudice motivated by “skin color, race, sex or sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, creed or origin”.
The minimum punishment was from US$ 30,000 to US$ 100,000 (R$ 513,000 at the current exchange rate). According to the entity, the competent judicial body can also force the offending cheerleading team to play without an audience or have the stadium partially closed.
The first case was that of a River Plate supporter, who threw a banana towards Fortaleza fans in the game between the teams in Buenos Aires, a month ago. The Argentine club was fined US$30,000.
Two weeks later, a fan of Boca Juniors, also from Argentina, imitated a monkey towards the Corinthians fans at Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. He was arrested in the act, but released after posting bail the next day.
In the same week, fans of Estudiantes de La Plata, another Argentine team, made monkey sounds for those of Red Bull Bragantino.
There were also similar records in Ecuador, during Palmeiras’ visit to Emelec, and in Chile, during Flamengo’s confrontation with Universidad Católica.
So far, Conmebol has not concluded the investigation into the cases in the games of Timão, Massa Bruta, Verdão and Rubro-Negro.
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