The Brazilian Government condemned Alejandro Dominguez’s remarks comparing a Libertadores Cup without Brazilian teams to “Tarzan without Cheetah” and criticized Conmebol for inadequate anti-racism measures. Dominguez apologized, asserting his comment was not meant to offend. The situation raises calls for stronger racism policies in South American football.
The Brazilian Government, under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has denounced remarks made by the President of the South American Football Confederation, Alejandro Dominguez. He compared a Libertadores Cup without Brazilian teams to “Tarzan without Cheetah.” Additionally, the Brazilian Government criticized Conmebol for its inadequate efforts against racism within the sport.
Following Brazil’s call for enhanced racial equality measures, Dominguez issued an apology, claiming that his comment was merely a popular expression and not meant to be offensive. This backlash has arisen alongside Conmebol’s recent sanction against Cerro Porteño for racist behaviors exhibited during a match, further amplifying demands for stricter anti-racism initiatives.
In an official statement, endorsed by the Ministries of Sport, Racial Equality, and Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian Government stated, “The Brazilian government repudiates in the strongest terms the statements made by the President of Conmebol, Alejandro Dominguez.” The Government urged Conmebol and South American National Football Federations to decisively combat racism and promote racial equality across the region.
Prompted by a proposal from Palmeiras, a club affected by racism incidents in Paraguay, Dominguez was asked if he could envision a Libertadores Cup without Brazilian participation. His response was, “It would be like Tarzan without the Cheetah, impossible.” Palmeiras President Leila Pereira implied that Brazil may consider joining Concacaf if Conmebol fails to respect Brazilian football.
At a recent event, Dominguez acknowledged racism as a significant issue infiltrating football and expressed his commitment to enforcing sanctions for racist behaviors. In his statement on X, he stated, “I want to express my apologies. The expression I used is a popular phrase and I never intended to belittle or disqualify anyone.” He also reinforced the importance of Brazilian teams in the Libertadores Cup.
The Brazilian Government has vocally condemned Alejandro Dominguez’s derogatory comment about Brazilian teams in relation to the Libertadores Cup, highlighting concerns about Conmebol’s failure to effectively address racism. Dominguez’s apology underscores a critical dialogue around the importance of taking definitive actions against discriminatory practices in football. This situation illustrates the need for comprehensive anti-racism policies and greater respect for Brazilian contributions to the sport.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
