Soccer: Brazil's superstar Marta and team protest against sexual harassment

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Brazil's superstar Marta

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imago sportphotodienst / imago / Bildbyran

After the suspension of Brazil’s football association boss Rogério Caboclo for a month, Brazilian national players protested against sexual harassment around superstar Marta.

Before a test match for the Olympic Games in Tokyo against Russia (3-0) on Friday in Spain, the Brazilian team unfurled a banner that read "No to harassment".

Saying no to sexual harassment goes beyond words and the lawn, it is about deeds.

"We ask men and women to name this."

In a text that was published by Marta, Formiga and other players on social networks on Friday, it said: "Every day thousands of people are subjected to moral and sexual harassment and are disregarded, especially us women." The name Caboclo was not called.

CBF President Rogério Caboclo has been forced to suspend his office for 30 days since last Sunday on charges of sexual harassment.

According to a media report, he should have asked an employee about her sex life and insulted her.

He also tried to control their relationships with other employees and their clothing style.

"The allegations are very serious," said Brazil's Swedish coach Pia Sundhage in a press conference before the game on Friday.

The allegations had shaken the players.

"This was a joint decision," Marta told the Brazilian broadcaster "TV Globo" about the team's positioning.

"To operate without prejudice, but the facts are on the table to be investigated."

ara / dpa