São Paulo police indict two Portuguesa fans over alleged racism towards Hugo Souza | OneFootball

São Paulo Civil Police have indicted two Portuguesa supporters over alleged racist abuse of Corinthians goalkeeper Hugo Souza after the Paulistão quarter-final in February.

According to Globo.com, the investigation was led by delegate Cesar Saad of Drade, São Paulo's Delegacia de Repressão aos Delitos de Intolerância Esportiva. Hugo gave a statement, saying he heard the insults and understood them as racist.

Sérgio de Jesus Paiva and Vinicius Cardoso Cannavina were identified by Portuguesa, which sent their details to the police. The inquiry says they directed terms such as louse-ridden, toothless and hungry at the player.

The pair denied using those words and any intent to discriminate. The offence alleged, injúria racial, carries a prison term of two to five years.

Portuguesa also sanctioned them, expelling both from the club's membership. At the time the team lamented the episode and said it would not tolerate discriminatory behaviour.

The civil police report will now be sent to the Ministério Público, which will decide whether to file charges. Hugo was central to that tie, saving two penalties at Canindé as Corinthians advanced to the semi-finals.

Source: Globo.com