Another episode of racism has shaken Brazilian football. Referee Marcos Nunes decided to leave the field after reporting that he was the victim of a racist insult during a Paulista U-15 Championship match between Votoraty and Referência, played at Domênico Paolo Metidieri Stadium in the state of São Paulo.

According to the official's account on social media, the incident occurred late in the first half when the father of a Votoraty player allegedly called him a "monkey." Nunes stated that members of the officiating crew and stadium security also heard the offensive remark.

FIFA's Anti-Racism Protocol Was Activated

After hearing the insult, Marcos Nunes waited until halftime before activating FIFA's anti-racism protocol. The referee crossed his arms at the wrists, the internationally recognized signal used to report acts of discrimination, before leaving the match to file an official police report.

According to Brazilian media, the alleged offender was identified and questioned by authorities. Prosecutors have filed racism charges against him, an offense in Brazil that carries a prison sentence ranging from two to five years, although he will remain free while legal proceedings continue.

The fourth official took over for the remainder of the match, which ended in a 3-0 victory for Referência.

Referee and Club Condemn the Incident

Following the match, Marcos Nunes shared an emotional message describing the impact the incident had on him.

The referee said experiencing racism firsthand was devastating and admitted that the feeling of helplessness brought him to tears. He also urged people to reflect on discrimination within Brazil, arguing that the country must confront its own problems instead of focusing only on racism elsewhere.

For its part, Votoraty released an official statement strongly condemning all forms of racism and discrimination, both on and off the field. The club reaffirmed that it does not tolerate behavior that undermines dignity and respect, values it believes should always be upheld through sport.

The incident once again highlights the ongoing fight against racism in South American football and the importance of enforcing established protocols to combat discrimination at every level of the game.