TV Cidade Norte commentator causes outrage with discriminatory statement, generating pushback from referees, federation and broadcaster
The refereeing trio formed by Gleika Oliveira Pinheiro, Nayara Lucena and Ederson Albuquerque were the target of sexist comments in the TV show Cidade Norte, during the final of the Série B of the Campeonato Paraense, between Capitão Poço and Independente, on Wednesday (4) . The match took place at the Rufinão Stadium, in Capitão Poço.
In the 51st minute of the second half, commentator Lucivan Barbosa, known as “Peteca de Jesus”, made a discriminatory statement:
“I have nothing against women, I want the best and I love them, but I shouldn’t have refereed a match like that. There is no way there is a trio like that to referee here. I won’t put any of the women. I’m not against them, but it’s a game of decision. It’s not about refereeing. Choose the best referee in the state and let him blow the whistle, but he doesn’t have the pulse to stop a game like that best thing he does.”
The speech sparked outrage on social media. After the match, assistant referee Nayara Lucena denied the statement:
“Not only does it devalue women, it also perpetuates a culture of inequality and disrespect,” she stressed.
The Paraense Football Federation (FPF) has taken a stand, stating that it will take appropriate measures and reaffirming its commitment to equality in football. The Union of Football Referees of the State of Pará (Sindarp/PA) also defended the competence of the referees.
TV Cidade Norte repudiated the freelance commentator’s comments and said it would no longer hire him.
Série B Paraense runners-up Capitão Poço also spoke out against the statements and highlighted that the statements are “unacceptable, discriminatory and violate the principles of equality, respect and inclusion” upheld by the club.
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Source: Terra
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