A disturbing incident of discrimination has marred the Brazilian University Beach Games (JUBs Praia) in Guarapari, Espírito Santo. Carina Rocha, an athlete representing the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (Udesc), became the target of homophobic and misogynistic comments from the official broadcast team during a women's beach soccer match on Tuesday.
The problematic remarks were captured on the official transmission video. Before the match began, commentators could be heard making inappropriate statements, including questioning the presence of a female player with phrases like "Oxe, can a man play too?" and "Look at the number 10," followed by laughter. Another comment stated, "But being naked is for women." The athlete herself shared the video on social media to highlight the unacceptable behavior.
In her public statement, Carina Rocha firmly rejected the notion that such comments are harmless jokes or mere opinions. She emphasized that sexist and homophobic remarks are a form of disrespect and constitute a crime, crossing all boundaries of acceptable conduct in sports broadcasting. She tagged the relevant sports governing bodies, the Catarinense Federation of University Sports (FCDU) and the Brazilian Confederation of University Sports (CBDU), in her posts.
The response from the academic and sports community was swift and unequivocal. Udesc Esportes released a formal note of repudiation, classifying the episode as gender discrimination. The university reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion and respect within the sporting environment and stated it has already taken the necessary measures in response to the case. It demanded a rigorous investigation and accountability for those involved.
The university's statement stressed that there is no room in university sports or any institutional setting for actions that violate human dignity. It called the equality principle non-negotiable and expressed concern that such incidents occur in contexts that should champion inclusion, respect, and diversity. The institution pledged to continue defending its student-athletes and ensuring a safe, ethical, and respectful sporting environment.
Adding to the condemnation, the Association Athletic of the Center of Health Sciences and Sport (Cefid) of Udesc also published a note of repudiation. The athletic association stated that sexist and homophobic comments do not represent the values of sport or the university community. Their message was clear: "Respect is not optional. It is essential."
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about responsibility in sports commentary and the need for strict ethical standards, especially in events celebrating student-athletes who balance training, studies, and work. As of the latest reports, the identities of the commentators involved have not been disclosed, and the CBDU had not issued a public response.
Based on reporting from g1.