Four players from River Plate’s women’s football team were recently released from prison following their arrest in Brazil over an alleged racial slur during a match against Grêmio. A Brazilian judge, Fernando Oliveira Camargo, ordered the release of Candela Díaz, Camila Duarte, Juana Cángaro, and Milagros Díaz, but set the condition that they remain in Brazil and report to court in São Paulo monthly until the case is concluded.
The incident occurred on December 21, 2024, during a group-stage game of the Brazil Ladies’ Cup in São Paulo. The match was halted in the first half after Candela Díaz was seen making apparent monkey gestures toward a ball boy, as captured in TV broadcast footage. This led to a strong reaction from the Grêmio players, who walked off the field in protest. Scuffles had broken out earlier in the game after Grêmio scored, and tensions escalated. The referee issued red cards to six River Plate players, resulting in the match being abandoned due to the visitors no longer having enough players to continue.
At the time of the stoppage, the score was 1-1, but the referee awarded the victory to Grêmio, who went on to win the final of the tournament, defeating Bahia on penalties. Following the incident, River Plate was banned from the Brazil Ladies’ Cup for two years.
The four River Plate players, all of whom are Argentinian, were detained by São Paulo police after the match. Their lawyer, Thais Sankari, expressed that the decision to imprison the players was an overreach, accusing the Brazilian judiciary of using the case to send a broader message. Sankari suggested that the legal actions were disproportionate and aimed at making an example of the players.
The controversy surrounding the incident deepened when Grêmio’s coach, Thaissan Passos, revealed that her team had been told by their players that the River Plate players had previously referred to them as “monkeys.” In response, the organizers of the Brazil Ladies’ Cup announced that any future instances of racist gestures on the field would result in an immediate ban for the offending team from the tournament.
River Plate condemned the discriminatory gestures, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and vowing to take appropriate disciplinary action. The club emphasized its commitment to eradicating such behavior from its ranks and stressed the importance of promoting respect and equality within the sport. However, the four players involved have yet to comment publicly on the situation.
Racism in South American football has long been a contentious issue, with clubs, players, and fans often facing scrutiny over discriminatory behavior. In recent years, Argentine clubs have been frequently sanctioned by South American sports bodies for racist actions by their supporters, particularly in matches involving Brazilian teams. This incident further highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the sport in addressing racism, both on and off the field.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of racism in football, sparking debates about the responsibility of governing bodies, clubs, and players in combating such behavior. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring that incidents like this are dealt with appropriately, and that efforts to eliminate racism from football are strengthened across the region.
