Xenophobic Comment Exchanged During Copa Libertadores Meeting Involving Venezuelan Navarro
Venezuela's Talleres midfielder Miguel Navarro has accused Sao Paulo's Damian Bobadilla of making a xenophobic remark during their Copa Libertadores clash on Tuesday. The Brazilian side emerged victorious, 2-1, but tensions escalated late in the match at Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium following Luciano da Rocha Neves' winner against the visiting Argentine club.
According to Navarro, Bobadilla called him a "starving Venezuelan" after a heated exchange of words. Navarro took to social media to express his frustration, stating, "I wish I could have the solution to the hunger that my country is experiencing... I will never be ashamed of my roots, I will go to the last consequences in the face of the act of xenophobia that I experienced today in Brazil."
Bobadilla apologized for his actions in a video posted on social media the following day. He admitted that he lashed out in the heat of the moment but stressed that he did not intend to discriminate against Navarro. "If I get the chance to talk to Miguel, I will apologize to him directly," Bobadilla said.
The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) has taken the matter to FIFA and CONMEBOL, urging them to take "exemplary measures to punish such behaviour and strengthen prevention and reporting protocols". The FVF condemned the incident, stating that Venezuelan footballers have been the target of discriminatory behaviour both on and off the pitch.
Brazilian media reported that Navarro made a complaint to local police, but efforts to locate Bobadilla for a statement were delayed as he had already left the stadium. The Paraguayan Football Association (AFP) later issued a statement in support of Bobadilla's integrity and professionalism.
Reuters has reached out to FIFA and CONMEBOL for comment, and the ongoing investigation into the incident continues. The Copa Libertadores competition remains in focus as teams prepare for the next round.
- The general-news and crime-and-justice sectors are focusing on a disagreement between Talleres midfielder Miguel Navarro and Sao Paulo's Damian Bobadilla, with Navarro accusing Bobadilla of making a xenophobic remark during a Copa Libertadores match.
- Despite Sao Paulo's victory in European football's Laliga, the sports world is discussing the heated exchange between Navarro and Bobadilla, particularly Bobadilla's comment that Navarro found offensive.
- The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) has taken the matter to FIFA and CONMEBOL, calling for stern punishment for such behavior and the strengthening of prevention and reporting protocols, as they believe Venezuelan footballers have been targeted by discriminatory behavior.