In a heartfelt and distressing scene during a soccer match in Venezuela, young talent Endrick, alongside his family, faced the ugliness of racism firsthand. Amidst the electric atmosphere of the Brigido Iriarte Stadium, some fans, lost in the moment, directed awful monkey gestures towards Endrick’s father, who was there to support his son, and at Endrick himself. It was a stark reminder that the beautiful game is sometimes marred by the ugliness of prejudice.
READ MORE
+ + Cafu sees Endrick as Brazil’s possible salvation, although he doesn’t give up on Neymar
+ + Brazilian Pre-Olympic Team wins with goals scored by Endrick and John Kennedy
+ + Brazilian National Team wins award for action against racism at FIFA’s The Best
The match itself, a clash between Brazil and Venezuela, ended in a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Brazil, with Guilherme Biro and Maurício finding the net. Yet, the triumph on the field was overshadowed by the incidents off it. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) didn’t hesitate to voice their disgust and solidarity, stating, “The CBF repudiates the acts of racism… against family members of player Endrick.” They emphasized the direct attacks on Endrick’s father, Douglas Ramos, highlighting the unacceptable behavior of some spectators.
CBF’s response to Endrick’s racist attack
In the aftermath, Daniel Vasconcelos, leading the Brazilian team’s delegation, extended a hand of support to Endrick and his family on behalf of CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues. It was a gesture that underscored the unity and support within the Brazilian soccer community.
A CBF repudia os atos de racismo cometidos contra familiares do jogador Endrick ocorridos na noite dessa quinta-feira no Estádio Brígido Iriarte, em Caracas, durante e após o jogo em que a Seleção Brasileira Pré-Olímpica venceu a Venezuela por 2 a 1.
As manifestações de…
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) February 9, 2024
The CBF’s response went beyond mere words. They have been pioneers, integrating measures into their General Competition Regulations that allow for sporting sanctions in cases of racism. This progressive step, taken in 2023, marks them as the first national football body to adopt such a stance.
Since 2022, the CBF has been proactive, launching campaigns to combat racism and establishing a dedicated Working Group to keep the conversation alive and actions ongoing. This incident, while heartbreaking, serves as a poignant reminder of the work still needed to root out racism from soccer and society at large. It’s a call to action, a plea for empathy, and a reminder of the values that truly make soccer the beautiful game.
