Palmeiras president Leila Mejdalani Pereira has strongly criticized CONMEBOL’s response to an incident of racist abuse directed at Palmeiras U20 player Luighi during a Libertadores U20 match against Cerro Porteño. Pereira labeled the punishment “absurd” and suggested that Brazilian clubs might consider joining CONCACAF in protest.
The incident occurred on Thursday, when an individual in the stands reportedly made racist gestures towards Luighi, leaving the 18-year-old striker visibly distressed. Luighi later posted on Instagram: “It hurts the soul… Until when? That is the question I hope we won’t have to ask at some point. For now, we keep fighting.”
CONMEBOL fined the Paraguayan club, Cerro Porteno, $50,000 and ordered them to play their remaining home games in the tournament behind closed doors.
Até quando o racismo será negligenciado?
Você é gigante, Luighi! 👏🏿 pic.twitter.com/DyEHhXbk61
— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) March 7, 2025
Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports on Monday, condemned the leniency of the punishment. “Firstly, I would like to express my indignation at CONMEBOL’s penalty of $50,000 and closed gates,” she said. “If you’re a minute late entering the pitch, it’s $1,000. If you light a flare, $8,000. You see how CONMEBOL views the offence of racism. It’s absurd.”
Pereira revealed that Palmeiras and other Brazilian clubs have written to FIFA, requesting intervention in cases of racism. She expressed her deep concern over the emotional impact on Luighi: “Luighi’s tears hurt… it’s not possible that someone wasn’t moved by that boy’s sadness… the vast majority of Brazilian clubs have suffered this kind of crime.”
She further criticized CONMEBOL’s treatment of Brazilian clubs, highlighting the disparity between Brazil’s financial contribution to the confederation and the perceived lack of respect shown to its clubs. “We have to take firm measures with regard to CONMEBOL, because it’s not possible for Brazil to account for 60% of CONMEBOL’s revenue and for Brazilian clubs to be treated like this,” she stated.
In a radical suggestion, Pereira proposed a potential shift in allegiance: “I’ll even throw out an idea… why not think about joining CONCACAF? I think that’s the only way they will respect Brazilian football, because Brazilian football isn’t being respected by CONMEBOL.” Pereira’s comments reflect growing frustration among Brazilian clubs with CONMEBOL’s handling of racism and other issues.
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