Iraty and Iguaçu condemn suspicion of racial insult during game in Irati

A possible racial injury action in Irati led to the triggering of the protocol to combat racism during the match between Iraty Sport Club and Associação Atlética Iguaçu, held in the afternoon of Sunday (6), at the Estadio Coronel Emílio Gomes. The episode also resulted in police registration and public demonstrations of repudiation of the two clubs.

The match was valid for the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Third Division of the Paranaense Championship and ended in a 1-1 draw.

According to information released by the police, at about 17:15 the team responsible for the police of the match was communicated about an alleged racial offense directed at an athlete from Iguazu.

Witnesses, among them members of the teams and the arbitration, reported hearing an expression of racial content coming from the stands.

Anti-racism protocol has been triggered

The situation was also recorded in the summary of the match. The document reports that, at 45 minutes of the second half, the referee Leandro Beuren interrupted the game after receiving the complaint.

The official protocol to combat racism used in football was triggered, with the gesture of crossed arms in the form of an “X”, indicating the occurrence reported.

According to the report released after the match, members of Iguazu pointed out that athletes from the visiting team would have been the target of the demonstrations. The fourth referee also said she heard the demonstration coming from outside the field, but could not immediately identify who would be responsible.

The match was resumed after the situation was controlled and continued until the final whistle.

Fans were removed from the stadium

The available information presents different details about the movement of the suspects and therefore should be treated separately.

In the police report released after the incident, a suspicious fan would have quickly left the point where he was and mixed with the others present. Images of the transmission subsequently helped in the identification of its movement. According to the information passed on to the police, he was eventually removed from the stadium by fans and security personnel.

An occurrence report was prepared to record the case and allow the adoption of appropriate measures.

The Iguazu Athletic Association reported in an official note that racist manifestations were directed at its athletes and that the protocol to combat racism was triggered. According to the club, one of the identified fans was removed from the stadium, while another was reported to have left the venue.

The authorship and the full circumstances of the episode should be clarified by the authorities responsible for the investigation.

Iguazu expresses solidarity with athletes

In a note of repudiation, the Iguazu Athletic Association condemned any racist or discriminatory manifestation and stressed that such behaviors can not be treated as a joke, provocation or part of the sporting rivalry. The following is a full note:

The Iguazu Athletic Association expresses its vehement repudiation of any form of racism and discrimination that occurred during the match between Iraty and Iguazu.

During the game, racist manifestations were registered aimed at athletes from Iguazu. Given the situation, the protocol to combat racism was triggered: one of the identified fans was removed from the stadium, while another escaped from the site.

The club stresses that racism is not provocation, play or sporting rivalry. It is violence and will not be tolerated.

Iguaçu stands in solidarity with the athletes involved and reaffirms its commitment to respect, dignity and combating racism on and off the pitch.

Racism is not twisted.

Racism is not rivalry.

Racism will not be tolerated.”

Iraty repudiates racial abuse

After the episode, Iraty Sport Club also issued a note of repudiation of any form of racism, prejudice and discrimination, inside or outside the stadiums.

The club stressed that football should be a space of union, respect, equality and inclusion, and stated:

“Racism is not an opinion. It's a crime."

Tie leaves decision open

On the field, Iraty and Iguaçu drew 1-1 in the first match of the quarter-finals of the Paranaense Third.

The return match is scheduled for Sunday (13), at 16h, at the Antiocho Pereira Municipal Stadium, in União da Vitória. Whoever wins advances to the semi-finals. In case of a new tie, the definition of the spot will be in the penalties.

 

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