Argentina fans arrested in São Paulo over racism, insult

Three fans of Argentina’s Boca Juniors team were arrested last night (Jun 28) following the 0–0 draw with Brazil’s Corinthians at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. Two were arrested for racial slurs and the other for racism, authorities reported.

During the match, held as part of the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup, two fans were filmed imitating a monkey. The third was caught making a Nazi salute.

On their social media pages, Corinthians wrote about the incident. “Such behavior will not be tolerated,” the club wrote. “True to our history of struggle, Corinthians will again proceed with the appropriate complaints, which will always be our conduct, until it is no longer necessary,” the text reads.

Bail

Bail was set for the release of the two fans on charges of racial abuse, the Brazilian team declared. The authorities did not report whether it has been paid. The three are now said to be in jail.

Corinthians and Boca Juniors played the first match of the round of 16 in the Libertadores Cup yesterday. The two teams are slated to face each other again on July 5, in Argentina.