Why is it still so difficult in football to care about the victim? – 03/08/2024 – Marina Izidro

Tite apologized. An important act. But when even a high-level professional like him, coach of a huge club like Flamengo and former commander of the Brazilian national team, has difficulty answering a simple question about a man convicted by the courts, we have a problem. It’s not about Tite, but rather a symptom of something bigger: how football, in general, needs to evolve in the way it deals with cases of violence against women.

At a press conference on the 25th, Tite was asked about Daniel Alves’ sentence to four years and six months in prison for rape in Spain. He called the crime a “mistake”, drew a parallel with an accusation against Neymar – who was acquitted – and said he could not “judge without having true facts and information”. The details of his former trusted man’s sentence were available, the repercussions were global.

Days later, he apologized and, even though he read a statement, he repeated the word “error”, continued, saying that “the crime was judged by the courts and was condemned” and that the comparison “was meaningless, it was inappropriate”. He did not mention the victim. A woman, like millions of Flamengo fans, and more than half of the population of Brazil.

There are those who think that Tite only recanted because he received a barrage of criticism. I think it is legitimate to correct yourself, I see no problem with having read the text. I want to believe that when someone like him takes a stand, it can set a positive precedent.

The journalist’s question was pertinent and obligatory. For the annoying people on duty who insist that it shouldn’t have been done, it’s worth remembering that it’s normal and expected for coaches to have an opinion on issues that aren’t necessarily linked to the game in question. It’s like that all over the world.

Here in Europe, coaches are asked all the time about more sensitive issues or issues that don’t always have to do with their clubs, but are relevant at that moment. What they do? Wow, respond. Great coaches know their influence on and off the field and their responsibility to society. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp has spoken several times on topics ranging from his criticism of Brexit – the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union – to the importance of vaccination during the pandemic. Pep Guardiola is immensely respected, but he cannot escape questions about accusations of breaking financial rules at Manchester City – and he does not remain silent.

Talking about Brexit is a lot less thorny than talking about rape, and I don’t like the term “pact of silence”, because it seems like it’s always intentional, and I don’t think it is. But, if sport is a tool for social change, those who are part of it need to learn to recognize that gender-based violence exists and have empathy with the victims, in interviews or within clubs, with grassroots athletes. It would be an important attitude so that younger players know not only how to manage the money they earn and take care of their mental health, but also how to treat women.

Brazil vs USA in the Gold Cup final

The Brazilian women’s football team will compete, this Sunday (10), in the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup against the powerful United States team. Brazil had a beautiful campaign, undefeated, with five wins, 15 goals scored and one conceded. Beating the Americans, at their home, would be the icing on the cake. And a huge step on the path towards the Olympic Games.

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