This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Abel Ferreira was yet another coach to comment on the alleged racist incident involving Vinícius Jr. during the match between Benfica and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League playoffs last Tuesday. It is worth recalling that the Real Madrid forward accused Argentine player Prestianni of directing a racist insult at him – 'monkey' – during the confusion that followed the goal scored by the number 7 of the Merengues, around the 50th minute, at the Estádio da Luz. The incident led to a 10-minute interruption of the match, in accordance with UEFA's anti-racism protocol. When questioned about the incident, the Portuguese coach expressed his thoughts on the crisis of values in society. "I don't like to make judgments because I am not a judge nor do I have that competence. I defend values, I defend respect, I defend human dignity, I defend justice, I defend education, I defend solidarity," Abel Ferreira began. The Palmeiras coach emphasized that the problem transcends sports. "Unfortunately, we live in a crisis of values in society. And society is me, it is you, it is us. It is not a football problem; it is a societal problem. You know the 'we are all one' [motto he uses within Palmeiras]? That is my philosophy of life, which I bring here. We all have to respect each other, we all have to be supportive of one another," he added. Abel Ferreira, regarding the racism case suffered by Vini Jr. in the match against Benfica, stated, "Racism is not a football problem; it is a problem of our society. We are in the worst phase of human values." Abel Ferreira lamented the lack of general action in response to these events, criticizing the tendency for debate without practical consequences. "I believe that no one is happy with what happened, neither side A nor side B. Unfortunately, we talk a lot, we debate a lot, we present opinions as absolute truths, and we do very little. Last year, very serious things happened here, and what happened? What actions did we take? In my opinion, we are in the worst phase of human values," he continued. Finally, the Portuguese coach reiterated his position of not judging the specific case, which is under investigation, but insisted on the need for a collective change in attitude. "I do not judge cases; I am a defender of values, and we as a society are moving at a rapid pace, if no measures are taken, towards something that is unbelievable. I do not have much information about this specific case. I think it will be judged; I do not know what happened. I do not judge because I have no grounds. We, as a society, are below what we can do. More than talking, we need to act," he concluded.
Abel Ferreira Racism Case Involving remains central to this story.
Abel Ferreira Racism Case Involving remains central to this story.
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