Santos says Ângelo and Joaquim suffered racist attacks

The management of Santos revealed early this Thursday (25) that striker Ângelo was not the only player on the team to suffer racist attacks at the El Teniente stadium, in Rancagua, Chile. Defender Joaquim, according to the Brazilian club, was also the target of Audax Italiano fans during the game valid for the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana.

“Santos Futebol Clube, once again, goes public to denounce and vehemently repudiate yet another case of racism in football. This time, the targets of racial slurs were our players Ângelo and Joaquim. The two athletes were attacked verbally and with gestures imitating monkeys by opposing fans present at today’s match”, informed the team from São Paulo.

Earlier, striker Ângelo had already reported being called “monkey” while walking off the pitch. The cases, according to Santos, have already been reported to Conmebol, from whom the Brazilian club demanded measures.

“The crime was reported by Santos FC, still inside the stadium, to Conmebol representatives. With the two cases officially registered, the club awaits the entity’s position on this unacceptable situation”, said the club.

In a press conference at the end of the match, coach Odair Hellmann was outraged by the episodes of discrimination and also demanded punishment from Conmebol.

“What do we have to do? Finish the match, everyone leaves the field. The opponent leaves, we leave. Let Conmebol, Fifa, CBF look for people and punish them, there are cameras everywhere today. If you don’t punish them, this will continue. This is historic, irreparable suffering,” he commented.

The two cases of racism take place in a week marked by the strong worldwide repercussion of the racist attacks suffered by Vinícius Júnior in Spain. The offenses, which the Brazilian suffered on Sunday during Real Madrid’s match against Valencia, for the Spanish Championship, mobilized authorities in Brazil and Spain, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and even the United Nations (UN) Commissioner ) for human rights.

“As has already been said, racism must not only be fought, but also severely punished”, reinforced the Santos leadership.