Corinthians is punished for homophobic chants against São Paulo

The homophobic chants sung by Corinthians fans in the derby against São Paulo, a month ago, at Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo, will make the alvinegro team play a match behind closed doors. The punishment was applied by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) in judgment this Wednesday (14).

Corinthians was framed in article 243-G of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD), which deals with “practicing a discriminatory, disdainful or outrageous act, related to prejudice due to ethnic origin, race, sex, color, age, condition of elderly or disabled person”.

Corinthians’ next match at home is on July 2, at 11 am, against Red Bull Bragantino, for the 13th round of the Brasileirão. The club can challenge the decision of the 3rd Disciplinary Committee of the STJD. At the judgment, the auditors heard Lúcio da Silva Blanco, administrator of Neo Química Arena, and Alessandro, soccer manager of the São Paulo club. Both confirmed the existence of the discriminatory chorus.

The club was even at risk of losing points in the Brasileirão, as determined by the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD) in cases of discrimination practiced by a large number of people linked to the same sports entity. The loss of points is also provided for in the General Competition Regulation (RGC) of the CBF, which has promised more severe sanctions in cases of discrimination in football.

On May 14, referee Bruno Arleu de Araújo paralyzed Corinthians x São Paulo in the 17th minute of the second half after the alvinegra fans chanted homophobic chants against São Paulo. The Corinthians began to sing a song that referred to São Paulo people as “faggots”. There were only fans of the home team in the stadium.

“Let’s go, let’s go Corinthians! We’ll have to win these queers!”, they shouted. On the screen at Neo Química Arena, a notice asked the fans to stop their activities. “It is forbidden to broadcast discriminatory, racist, homophobic or xenophobic chants,” read the message.

After the text was shown, the Corinthian crowd increased the intensity of the chant. Referee Bruno Arleu de Araújo then stopped the game for three minutes until the screams were contained. The game resumed normally.