Palmeiras player is the target of racist insults

Midfielder Kauan Santos, from Palm trees, was the target of racist insults after the team’s elimination from the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior. The Alviverde team was defeated by Aster Itaquá-SP, on Monday, in Barueri, 1-0, and said goodbye to the dream of a third championship. After the match, the player published an outburst on his Instagram account reporting insults towards him and his family.

“Today was the worst day of my life and my career… I know I made a mistake and failed all of you (family, fans, teammates and committee),” he wrote. “Those who left home to support us in all the games, these are true fans of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras! Those who cursed… They were racist towards me and my family… Football no longer needs this . I recognize my mistake and my poor performance, but this is no longer consistent with football”, he added.

Aster Itaquá-SP’s goal was scored in the 16th minute of the second half, by Jean Tadeu, in a counterattack. Kauan was a starter throughout the match and hit a ball against the post in the initial stage and participated in some of the best opportunities for the Alviverde team in the match. Goalkeeper Vinicius Chacon had a great performance and was essential in preventing the current two-time champions from taking their place.

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Kauan Santos is 19 years old and is one of Palmeiras’ jewels in the competition. The midfielder competed for the Dener Award for the most beautiful goal in the second round of the Copinha, scored in the 4-0 defeat of União ABC. The club did not comment on the matter.

This is the second episode of racism in Copinha 2024. Lucas Eduardo, captain of Vasco, claimed to have been called a “monkey” while giving an interview on the side of the pitch after the elimination of the Rio team, defeated by Vitória, 4-1, in the Saturday, in Guarulhos. The young man reported the insults on social media and also stated that he was hit with a glass of water. He classified the episode, which occurred on his 20th birthday, as the “most painful defeat of his life”. In a statement, Vasco regretted what happened and demanded punishment.

“Vasco da Gama repudiates the attacks suffered by Lucas Eduardo and is taking the necessary measures to investigate and punish those responsible. Attacks and crimes of this nature will not be tolerated and will be strongly combated,” the club wrote.