Hugo Souza backs referee Daiane Muniz after sexist remarks during Paulista quarter-final | OneFootball

Hugo Souza was Corinthians’ hero with three penalty saves against Portuguesa in the Paulista quarter-finals, then publicly backed referee Daiane Muniz after sexist remarks made during Red Bull Bragantino’s match with São Paulo.

The goalkeeper denied three penalties in total, including one during normal time on Sunday night.

“I spoke with the women here earlier, but I wanted, publicly, to express my feelings about what happened yesterday in the interview after the Bragantino game. That should not happen,” he told CazéTV.

“We players can be difficult, we complain, and we know referees make mistakes and get things right. It is not about being a man or a woman, standards must be the same and fair. My sympathies to the referee, the Bragantino player was very unfortunate.”

In Bragantino’s 2-1 quarter-final loss to São Paulo, defender Gustavo Marques directed sexist comments at Daiane Muniz, questioning her decisions and suggesting a woman should not be appointed to a match of that size.

Bragantino, the Federação Paulista de Futebol and federal ministries issued statements condemning his remarks. Gustavo apologised to the officials in the dressing room and later made a public retraction, and the case was referred to the sporting tribunal for possible punishment.

On Sunday Hugo was also subjected to racist abuse from Portuguesa fans as he left Canindé, and Corinthians said they would identify and punish those responsible after expressing support for their goalkeeper.

Source: Meu Timao