Brazilian football experienced the strongest disciplinary action in terms of discrimination. Red Bull Bragantino defender Gustavo Marquez has been suspended for 12 games and fined for making a sexist comment towards referee Diane Muniz at the end of a match in the Paulista Championship.
The suspension was imposed by the São Paulo State Sports Court following the controversy surrounding the quarter-final match between São Paulo FC and Red Bull Bragantino on February 21, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the São Paulo side. After the match, the defender questioned the appointment of the referee, saying, “A woman shouldn’t be in charge of a game of that magnitude,” which caused a huge stir in Brazilian soccer circles.
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The court based its decision on articles sanctioning crimes against honor and discriminatory conduct, thus forming a legal doctrine and setting a relevant precedent in the fight against discriminatory conduct in domestic football.
Following the controversy, Marquez, who is on loan at Bragantino from Portuguese side Benfica, apologized publicly and also went to the referee’s dressing room to apologize privately to Muniz. The player acknowledged that his comments were inappropriate and sought to defuse the tension caused by the incident.
In addition to the court’s sanction, Red Bull Bragantino itself also took internal action against the player. The club decided to fine him 50% of his monthly salary and remove him from the squad for the next match. The funds raised will be donated to organizations working with vulnerable women in the Bragana Paulista region.
The case has reignited the debate about gender discrimination in Brazilian soccer and the need to strengthen disciplinary measures to protect equality and respect in professional sport.
What did Marquez say?
After the match, Gustavo Marquez spoke frankly, perhaps out of frustration at losing in a draw. Unlucky and punished comments will be remembered live and forever, without any doubt.
“For us, it doesn’t make sense to play against São Paulo, Palmeiras or Corinthians and have a female referee in a match of this magnitude.”
“I don’t think she was honest about what she did. The uniform and the traditions of São Paulo are a credit to São Paulo, but I think São Paulo was leaning towards São Paulo. Our dream was to reach the semi-finals or even the final, but she ruined the game.”
“The Paulista Federation must consider a match of this magnitude and not put a woman in charge. I have great respect for women… but she does not have the ability to adapt to a match like this.”
