Corinthians faces new incidents of racism at Bombonera

The temperature in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night (17) was 7ºC, however, inside the Bombonera, the atmosphere of the game between Boca Juniors and Corinthians was boiling: there were scenes of racism on the part of the local fans, confrontation of choirs to see who sang the loudest, confusion between players on the field and a noisy expulsion.

The scenes of racism occurred occasionally, but were recorded and went viral on social networks. Some Boca fans imitated monkeys when they saw a camera focused on them, almost always in isolation, or when the Colombian player Victor Cantillo, who plays for the São Paulo team, was sent off. He had to leave under escort, because, as the visiting team’s tunnel is just below the stands where the organized fans are, objects flew trying to hit him, in addition to shouts of “monkey”.

Despite occupying a small space, at the top and in a corner of Bombonera, the Corinthians fans tried throughout the game to sing or shout something more than the “bostera” crowd (as Boca’s is known). In several moments he managed, especially after Corinthians opened the scoring with a goal from Du Queiroz, in the 16th minute of the first half.

At the beginning of the game, the feeling was that the Brazilian fans had barely attended. During much of the first period, there were few people in the space assigned to her. Many Corinthians fans, however, were only able to enter after the game had started, some only in the second half, due to a delay in the escort and registration carried out at the doors, according to the Argentine club. There were few, therefore, those who saw the Corinthians goal. In total, there were 3,000 people, who went by bus for the departure.

In addition to singing the song “Brasil, Decime Que Se Siente” several times, famous at the 2014 World Cup, Boca fans also encouraged the players to really get into the fight with the Brazilians, which took place in the second half due to a thrown ball. by goalkeeper Cassio to the side so that a Corinthians player could be attended to. Boca did not return it, even at the request of Uruguayan judge Christian Ferreyra. “Soca, beat, smash, Boca” or “these here won’t leave the Bombonera today”, they shouted in chorus in the stands at La 12, organized by the Buenos Aires club.

The Brazilian fans then turned on lights and smoked, shouting in defense of their players.

Corinthians shared on its social networks: “Sport Club Corinthians Paulista considers the manifestations of racism by the Boca Juniors fans to be unacceptable, as well as the treatment given to their fans upon arrival at the La Bombonera stadium, which delayed the occupation of the seats reserved for her throughout the entire first stage”.

The irritation between the two clubs only seems to grow. In the clash between the two in São Paulo, on the 26th, when Corinthians won 2-0, a Boca fan was arrested for making racist gestures looking at the Corinthians fans. He was eventually taken by the Military Police. With the Boca fans who performed the same gestures at Bombonera, nothing happened.