On June 15, during a match at Maracanã, journalist Álvaro de Castro of Atlético-GO faced an unprovoked attack from Fluminense defender Felipe Melo.
The altercation occurred after Atlético-GO secured a last-minute victory over Fluminense, with Álvaro celebrating near the opposing team’s bench.
This led to his forceful shove from Melo, prompting a heated exchange among the players and coaching staff.
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The incident not only resulted in physical harm to Álvaro but also led to psychological distress and hostility from Felipe Melo’s fans, culminating in further physical confrontations.
Violento, bolsonarista, evangélico, covarde… Felipe Melo devia ser banido do futebol. pic.twitter.com/WP3OJVSBRn
— Pobre de Direita (@RidlavSednanref) June 16, 2024
Despite the clarity of the assault captured during the celebration, the sports justice system’s response stirred controversy.
The Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) issued a 15-day suspension to Álvaro, effectively sidelining him for three games, while Felipe Melo received only a single-game suspension—already deemed served.
Álvaro’s legal team criticized the ruling as unjust and reversed, portraying the victim as the culprit. They announced plans to pursue further legal action to ensure accountability and emphasized the need for a stringent application of the law against such violence.
