Brazilian soccer club apologises to women after their player’s sexist remarks

Brazilian club Red Bull Bragantino have issued a public apology after one of their players made sexist remarks following defeat in a cup quarter final. Speaking after his team’s 2-1 loss to Sao Paulo, which saw Bragantino eliminated at the quarter final stage, defender Gustavo Marques, 24, lashed out at official Daiane Muniz during a post-game interview with TNT Sports. The side later said in a statement that “nothing justifies” his remarks and they are analysing an appropriate punishment. “There is no point in us playing against Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Corinthians, and they allow a woman to referee a game of this size,” Marques said. “I don’t think she was honest in what she did. All credit to Sao Paulo, for the shirt and the history and tradition that they have, but I think she pushed for them.” “We work hard all day every day, leave our family behind at home — sister, father, mother, wife, everyone — for her to come along and put an end to our dream,” he continued. “I think the FPF (Sao Paulo Football Federation) has to look at a game of this size and not appoint a female referee. With all respect to women around the world – I’m married, I also have my mum – I’m sorry if I’m saying anything bad about women, but I don’t think that she has the capacity to referee this game.” Marques subsequently apologised, telling reporters in the mixed zone at the Cicero De Souza Marques stadium that he wanted “to ask forgiveness from the referee and her assistant.” “I’m here once again to apologise to women around the world and here in Brazil,” he said, per ESPN Brazil. “I said things that I shouldn’t have in that moment about Daiane. “I went to her to apologise afterwards, and to her assistant as well. So I’m here again to apologise to women around the world, there are plenty of women here too; I hope they can forgive me for what I said. “I’m upset, I’m sad, my wife has already scolded me, my mother as well. So I’m here to say sorry. I’m a man, a human being, and humans make mistakes.” The FPF was quick to condemn his remarks, saying that it viewed his interview with “deep indignation” and “outrage” in a statement released on Saturday night. “The comments regarding referee Daiane Muniz reflect a primitive, sexist, prejudiced, and misogynistic view, incompatible with the values that govern society and football,” the statement continued. “It is absolutely appalling that an athlete, under any circumstances, would question a referee’s ability based on their gender. “The FPF is proud to have 36 female referees and assistant referees on its staff and continues to work actively to increase this number. “Daiane Muniz is a FPF, CBF (Brazil football confederation), and FIFA referee of the highest technical quality, integrity, and character. The FPF reinforces its full support for Daiane and all women who work or wish to work in any area of football. Our daily work is to ensure that football is a safe and fair environment for all women.” Red Bull Bragantino, part of the Red Bull network of clubs, which includes RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and Major League Soccer side New York Bulls, also issued a statement, confirming that an apology had been made in person, while promising to review the incident and decide on an internal punishment. “Red Bull Bragantino comes forward publicly to reinforce the apology to all women and, above all, to referee Daiane Muniz,” the statement read. “The club does not condone and strongly repudiates the sexist remark made by defender Gustavo Marques after the match. “Still at the stadium, the player and the club’s sporting director, Diego Cerri, went to the refereeing locker room to personally apologize on behalf of the institution and acknowledge the mistake. Both also spoke to the press at the venue. We know that the weight of an elimination is frustrating, but nothing justifies what was said. Whether in football or in any other area of society. The club will study in the coming days the punishment to be applied to the athlete.”