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. Gustavo Marques, a defender for Benfica on loan to Bragantino, made sexist comments about referee Daiane Muniz following his team's elimination from the Campeonato Paulista this Saturday against São Paulo. The player, who scored Bragantino's only goal in the 1-2 defeat, criticized the Federação Paulista de Futebol for the appointment. The center-back arrived in Portugal in 2022 to play on loan at Torreense and was purchased by Benfica from Atlético Mineiro in the summer of 2024, having always represented the B team, except for one match in the 15th round of the 2023/24 season, where he played 2 minutes against Famalicão, while Benfica was coached by Roger Schmidt. He is on loan to Bragantino until the summer. After the final whistle, which marked the team's first defeat and subsequent elimination from the competition, Gustavo Marques stated that the referee "ruined our game." The main complaint from Bragantino players was about an alleged penalty on Juninho Capixaba in the final minutes that was not awarded. "It was our dream to reach the semifinals or even the final, but she ruined our game. I think the Federação Paulista needs to look at games of this magnitude and not appoint a woman. With all due respect to women in the world, I am married, I have my mother, I apologize if I am saying something against women," declared the defender. The Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) issued an official statement vehemently condemning the athlete's remarks, labeling them as "primitive, sexist, prejudiced, and misogynistic." "It is with deep indignation and outrage that the Federação Paulista de Futebol received the interview from athlete Gustavo Marques," the statement reads, considering it "absolutely shocking that an athlete, under any circumstances, questions a referee's ability based on their gender." The Federation expressed pride in having 36 female referees and assistants in its ranks, praising the technical quality and character of Daiane Muniz. Eliminated from the Campeonato Paulista, Bragantino will compete again next Wednesday, the 25th, facing Athletico-PR in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
Gustavo Marques Benfica remains central to this story.
Gustavo Marques Benfica remains central to this story.
Read more in Serie A news. and related tags: Gustavo Marques, Benfica.