Police investigate racism of fans in the final of the Copa do Brasil

The Civil Police of Paraná opened an investigation of racism by Athletico fans during the final of the Copa do Brasil, on Wednesday (15). Videos with athletics imitating monkeys and referring to the skin color of Atlético-MG fans circulate on social networks. They motivated the investigation.

Atlético-MG beat Athletico by 2-1, in Curitiba, and became champion of the Copa do Brasil. In the first game of the final, on Sunday, in Belo Horizonte, the team from Minas Gerais had already beaten the Paraná team by 4-0.

More than 34,000 people watched the Wednesday match at Arena da Baixada, Athletico’s stadium. A few present committed racist acts, amid the athletic fans who had a nice party and pushed the team.

In two videos released by journalist Bianca Molina, from Band TV, on a social network, white men make gestures that appear to be monkeys and point to the area of ​​the stadium where the Atlético-MG fans were. The videos also show men pointing at their skin in an ironic tone.

In another video, shown in another profile, a woman appears to imitate monkeys from inside a stadium box. Athletico fans even reprimand her.

Athletico Paranaense said in a statement issued on Thursday (16) that it became aware of what the club called “acts of racism” committed in Wednesday’s game. He declared that “racism is unacceptable and, more than that, criminal”.

“The club will spare no effort to investigate the events, identify those responsible and pass on all information to the competent authorities,” added the club.

According to the Civil Police, the investigation of the case is in charge of Demafe (Mobile Police Station for Football and Events). On Wednesday, the day of the game, Demafe did not record any occurrences about the actions of the athletics. Nobody was arrested.

Folha was unable to contact the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) to hear the organization about the case.