By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – Yet another Brazilian club has urged its fans to refrain from racist chanting as the country attempts to impose the legacy of the World Cup by stamping out discrimination.
Days after Gremio were banned from the country’s main cup competition after some of their fans levelled monkey chants at a Santos player – the first time a major club had been expelled from a competition in Latin America due to racist conduct by its supporters – Corinthians, the most popular team in St. Paulo, have pleaded with their millions of followers to stop using homophobic insults.
Corinthians’ officials are concerned they could be targeted next by the authorities if their fans do not behave.
“This is the people’s team. From the people to the people. Since 1910 we have fight against elitism and racism,” a club statement said.
Every time a rival goalkeeper takes a goal kick in Corinthians’ stadium supporters shout ‘bicha’, a homophobic insult, at him in unison – a commonplace practise in many central and south American footballing countries.
A similar insult came under scrutiny during the World Cup when Mexico’s supporters were criticised for shouting “Ehhhh Puto” (which translated means male prostitute), though FIFA imposed no sanction.
On its website, Corinthians published what it described as a club “manifesto” which called for the end of racist and homophobic abusive language.
“Here we don’t have, and can’t have, homophobia. Put an end to the ‘bicha’ shout during the goal kick of the rival goalkeepers. Because homophobia is against the principle of equality that lies deep in Corinthians’ DNA and can also damage the club,” said the club.
Secretary general of Brazil’s sports justice tribunal, Paulo Schmitt, said: “I hope all clubs will pay more attention to this issue from now on. I will be. Abusive chants can end in clubs being punished.”
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