FC Alverca terminates Mateus Mendes's contract after match incident

FC Alverca has terminated the contract of goalkeeper Mateus Mendes following an incident during a match against FC Oliveira do Hospital in the Campeonato de Portugal. The club issued a statement apologizing to the opposing team and emphasizing that they do not tolerate behaviors that contradict sporting values, fair play, and respect.

Mendes, a 27-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper and former Palmeiras youth player, stated that his violent reaction during the 94th minute of the match was a response to being subjected to racist insults. He reported being called racial slurs and being told to ‘go back to your country’ by an opponent.

In a social media post, Mendes expressed frustration with the lack of concrete consequences for racism in football, noting he has faced such treatment for over a decade. He also criticized FC Alverca for its handling of the situation, expressing disappointment that the club did not provide more support in the fight against discrimination. He referenced Vinícius Júnior as another prominent figure who has faced similar racism in European football.