According to the league’s statute, which was approved by the 20 first division clubs, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has the authority to sanction teams with the loss of points if their employees or fans commit acts of racism.
The ground-breaking measure in the CBF’s fight against racism and discrimination in the country’s stadia will go into effect for the Copa do Brasil, which starts on February 22.
“The fight against racism is in a hurry. Measures have been discussed for centuries and have never been put into practice… We decided to go further with punishments and we can even take away points from a club in one of our competitions,” CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said.
“It is considered extremely serious the discriminatory offense practiced by managers, representatives and professionals of clubs, athletes, coaches, members of the Technical Committee, fans and arbitration teams in competitions coordinated by the CBF.”
Rodrigues sees the fight against discrimination in football as one of his top priorities as the first Black man to lead the CBF in more than 100 years.
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The CBF is the world’s first ruling body to implement such a measure.
A law signed by President Lula da Silva has increased penalties for offenses committed at Brazilian sporting and cultural events and equates the crime of racial insult with racism.
