Brazilian government condemns statements by the president of CONMEBOL.

Brazil Agency - The Brazilian Government issued a statement on Tuesday (18) repudiating the statement by the president of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), Alejandro Dominguez, that a Copa Libertadores without the presence of Brazilian teams would be like “Tarzan without Cheetah”.

“The Brazilian Government strongly repudiates the statements made by the President of the South American Football Confederation [CONMEBOL], Alejandro Dominguez, last night, March 17, in a press interview following the draw ceremony for the group stage of tournaments organized by that entity. These statements come in a context where CONMEBOL authorities have repeatedly failed to take effective measures to prevent and avoid the recurrence of racist acts in matches organized by the organization, including measures to combat impunity and promote accountability for those responsible,” says the statement signed by the Ministry of Sport, the Ministry of Racial Equality, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Brazilian Government urges CONMEBOL and the National Football Federations of South America to act decisively to curb and repress acts of racism, discrimination, and intolerance, promote racial equality policies, and share knowledge and best practices to expand access to sport for people of African descent, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups. The Brazilian Government reiterates its commitment to initiatives to combat racism and promote racial equality, including measures against any type of discrimination in different sports," the statement concluded.

Apology

After the Copa Libertadores group stage draw, held on Monday night (17) at Conmebol headquarters in Paraguay, Domínguez was asked by a journalist if he imagined a Libertadores without Brazilian teams.

"It would be like Tarzan without Cheetah, impossible," the manager replied with a laugh.

Shortly before, the Paraguayan leader had said in a speech to the audience invited to the event that racism was a scourge affecting football and that his organization would continue to apply sanctions so that “every racist expression has a real consequence”.

"I want to express my apologies. The expression I used is a popular phrase, and I never intended to belittle or discredit anyone," Domínguez said Tuesday in a statement on the social network X.

"The CONMEBOL Libertadores is unthinkable without the participation of clubs from the 10 member countries [...]. I reaffirm my commitment to continue working for a fairer, more united, and discrimination-free football," he added.

The controversy surrounding Domínguez comes days after Conmebol sanctioned Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño for racist insults and gestures towards Palmeiras striker Luighi Hanri in a Copa Libertadores Under-20 match.

After the game, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira told reporters that if Conmebol did not respect Brazilian football, Brazil should consider joining the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf).

*With information from Reuters.