Corinthians goalkeeper Hugo Souza was targeted by racist slurs during the match against Rosario Central in Argentina, in a Libertadores Round of 16 clash.
The atmosphere at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium was marred by a shameful incident during the match between Rosario Central and Corinthians this past Thursday (13). Goalkeeper Hugo Souza was the target of racist abuse from the stands, an act that stained the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16.
After making a crucial save in the second half, the goalkeeper was surprised by discriminatory insults. Maintaining his composure, the player immediately reported the situation to the refereeing team, who activated the CONMEBOL anti-racism protocol. Although referee Matonte recorded the incident, the match continued until the final whistle without any interruptions.
The club’s stance
Faced with the gravity of the situation, Corinthians did not remain silent. The club issued an official statement vehemently condemning the attacks suffered by their athlete on Argentine soil. The institution made it clear that it expects decisive action from the competent authorities.
The club demands that CONMEBOL conduct a rigorous investigation to identify those responsible for the racist acts and that appropriate sanctions be applied in accordance with the competition’s regulations.
Impact and moving forward in the competition
The 0-0 draw on the pitch was overshadowed by the fallout from the incident. For Timão, the focus is now divided between preparing for the decisive return leg and the political pressure for justice on the continental stage.
The episode serves as an urgent reminder of the need for more effective measures to combat discrimination in South American football. The M360 Team continues to monitor developments regarding this investigation with the bodies responsible for organizing the Libertadores.
