A soccer club in Brazil is expressing disappointment with many fans who levied an anti-gay chant on an opposing club during a recent match.
According to the Associated Press, Clube Atlético Mineiro, know as Galo (which is Portuguese, ironically, for “cock” or “rooster”), publicly criticized fans this week for sending an anti-gay message at the players and fans of the opposing rival Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.
The chant allegedly called all of the Cruzeiro fans gay by saying they should be afraid if Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro were to win election due to his alleged anti-gay policies. Bolsonaro is known as a conservative who has sometimes used seemingly divisive messages as the cornerstone of his campaign. Bolsonaro leads some polls with 26% headed into the Oct. 7 vote for president.
The two teams played to a 0-0 tie on Sunday.
It’s a good sign to see a team in Brazil take such actions. Homophobia in Brazil soccer stadiums has gone largely unchecked in the past.
