Minister says Palmeiras coach made ‘big mistake’ by using ‘Indian team’ | Politics

The Portuguese coach made the statement during an analysis of Palmeiras’ 3-1 win over Atletico Go on Thursday (11). Abel apologized By expressing xenophobia the next day.

“The Palmeiras coach made a serious mistake in his statement. I would like to invite him to learn about the history of the indigenous peoples of Brazil. And also to learn about the history of the colonization of Portugal, his homeland, in relation to Brazil and how we are working to review this,” Guajajara announced on social media on Friday (12).

The minister, who is indigenous to the Guajajara/Tintehar ethnic group, noted that Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, recently acknowledged the country’s responsibility for the massacre of indigenous people and enslaved people in Brazil. Portugal colonized Brazil for more than 300 years.

“His position, at that time, brought to light the public debate on the urgent importance of promoting the racial-ethnic equality agenda as a prelude to citizenship, while saving, preserving and appreciating the history and knowledge of the culture of the indigenous people of African descent BR,” added Guajajara, who highlighted the importance of combating stereotypes that “lead to unacceptable statements like this from Abel Ferreira.”

After being criticized for using the term “Indians Team”, Abel Ferreira posted an apology on social media on Friday (12).

“I reject all forms of bias and discrimination. Unfortunately, there are expressions that we continue to perpetuate without focusing on their content. I made the mistake of using one of these expressions at the press conference. I realize that words have power and influence regardless of the intention. We must all question, reflect and improve every day. I apologize to everyone, especially to indigenous communities.”

The Portuguese coach used this expression in the press conference held after Palmeiras’ 3-1 win over Atletico Go in the Brazilian Football Championship. He spoke about the importance of the athlete Anibal Moreno in the Sao Paulo team.

“Anibal has a very good dynamic and that’s why we really wanted this player. The management couldn’t bring him in when we needed him, because it wasn’t enough. That’s when we were able to do it and at the right time we were able to do it. I would say that he is the balance, the pendulum of our team, he gives confidence to these four, five, six to get into the area, and he is with Vitor (Reis) today and Gomez and Rocha or Maique. He can bring balance to the team and give the strikers freedom to attack.”

“Because this is not a team of Indians. There is an organization and within that organization there is freedom for them to create and communicate and there are principles of play that we have, one of which is balance, and Anibal is one of those pendulums, that little engine, whose job is not only to be the first cover, but also to start the game and make the team play,” he added.

Federal Law No. 7716/89, known as the Racism Law, which includes xenophobia, states that “crimes resulting from discrimination or prejudice on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, religion or national origin shall be punished in accordance with this law.”