Flamengo president hits out at Globo journalist, sparking protests | OneFootball

The president of Flamengo, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, attacked a Globo journalist while speaking about the club's women's soccer. The statement was made last Tuesday night during a meeting about the first-year balance of Bap's management, broadcast by Flamengo TV.

“What are the facts? Growing audience. Does it compare with men's soccer? No, but it shouldn't be this different [compared to professional men's soccer]. TV keeps the profits from the marketing package and doesn't distribute them to the clubs,” said Bap, before adding.

In a note published at the bottom of a ge website article, Globo classified Bap's statement as “misogynistic” and repudiated the declaration. “Globo repudiates the gratuitous and misogynistic attack by the Flamengo official on one of its professionals and reiterates its deep respect for women and for critical opinions that do not offend or insult anyone“.

Bap's attack was reportedly directed at journalist Renata Mendonça from Globo, who has experience covering women's soccer. Recently, the commentator criticized the lack of investment and structure provided by Flamengo to the professional team athletes.

Wave of Protests

The statement by Flamengo's president generated a wave of protests on social media. Journalist Ana Thaís Matos, a colleague of Renata at TV Globo, made a post on her official Instagram account on behalf of women working in sports coverage and showed solidarity.

See the full post below:

“We, women working in sports coverage and also behind the scenes of communication, express our total solidarity with journalist Renata Mendonça from TV Globo, who was the target of an offensive, sexist, and unacceptable statement by Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista.

By referring to a professional's physical appearance, the official crosses any limit of sports debate and the right to criticism. It is a personal attack, which has nothing to do with journalism and reinforces misogynistic practices historically used to embarrass and delegitimize women.

Renata Mendonça has built a career marked by tireless work, competence, and commitment to the development of women's soccer in Brazil, providing visibility, depth, and credibility to a sport that has long been neglected. Her work is recognized by colleagues, athletes, clubs, and the public.

BAP's statement does not only affect one journalist but ALL women working in the sports field who continue to face attempts at intimidation and disqualification.

From officials and institutional representatives, responsibility, respect, and understanding of the weight of their words are expected. Sexism is not an opinion, it is not criticism, and it cannot be normalized.

PS: Renata Mendonça is also one of the founders of the Dibradoras portal, which has been covering women's sports in Brazil with depth and seriousness for 10 years.”

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ana Thaís Matos (@anathaismatos)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.