Rio de Janeiro (AFP)
Nearly half of black footballers in Brazil have been victims of racism in the exercise of their profession, according to a poll published Tuesday on the Globoesporte.com website.
The poll, based on information collected anonymously from 163 black players in the top four divisions of Brazilian football, shows that 48.1% of respondents have already experienced racism in their sport.
For 92.4% of them, the episode of racism took place in a stadium, 6.3% in the facilities of their club and 1.3% in a hotel.
But 87.8% of these footballers say they have not denounced the facts of racism they have been victims.
As regards the measures to be adopted to combat this scourge, 39% of respondents consider that the perpetrators of acts of racism should be punished, 27.7% advocate the setting up of educational campaigns and 19.5% would like the clubs are sanctioned.
Brazil, of which 54% of the population is Black or Metis, is far from being spared by the problems of racism in stadiums, where scandals are multiplying.
Sunday, a video showed a supporter of Atlético Mineiro, in Belo Horizonte, go after a black steward shouting: "do not touch me, look at your skin color!"
Brazilian footballers are also frequently victims of racism abroad.
Also on Sunday, Taison, captain of Shakhtar Donetsk, was targeted by racist shouts of Dynamo Kiev fans and the referee subsequently sent him off for sending the ball to the podium.
The player left the lawn crying, comforted by players from his team Shakhtar and Dynamo.
Monday, Willian, Chelsea black player passed by Shakhtar (2013-2017), was moved by the situation of his compatriot during a press conference of the Brazilian selection.
"Racism continues to claim victims, not only in football, but in other areas as well, it really makes us uncomfortable to see players crying, I hope it will end once and for all." , he said.
"We, the players, we do what we can, what is within our reach, so that it stops, but this responsibility goes mainly to the federations," he continued.
© 2019 AFP