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Referee Marcos Nunes files racism complaint after abuse in São Paulo youth match
On 1 August 2026 referee Marcos Roberto de Jesus Nunes left the Campeonato Paulista Sub‑15 match between Votoraty and Referência after a fan – identified as the father of a Votoraty player – called him “macaco”. Nunes filed a police report, activated the FIFA anti‑racism protocol and exited at halftime; a fourth official completed the second half and the game ended 3‑0 for Referência. The fan was identified, charged with a racism offence punishable by two to five years’ imprisonment, and the Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) issued a statement condemning the act and pledging an investigation. Within 24 hours further discrimination cases were reported in other youth fixtures: in the Sub‑20 game XV de Jaú vs Ituano, Ituano forward João Vitor said he was called “macaco” by opponent Eraso, and homophobic slurs were directed at assistant referee Marcelo Zamian de Barros; in the Sub‑17 match São Bernardo vs Rio Branco, assistant referee Denival da Silva Pereira faced homophobic abuse. In each case the FPF activated its anti‑discrimination protocol, clubs filed reports and investigations are ongoing.
Entities
Eraso · Federação Paulista de Futebol · João Vitor · João Vitor Aragão de Albuquerque · Marcelo Zamian de Barros · Marcos Roberto de Jesus Nunes · Nelson Marques da Silva · Referência · Votoraty · XV de Jaú
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Nunes filed a police report and activated the anti‑racism protocol, leaving the field at halftime. radiosampaio.com.br · www.cmjornal.pt · skrotymeczow.pl · maisfutebol.iol.pt · ocp.news
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) issued a statement condemning the incident and pledged to investigate. radiosampaio.com.br · www.cmjornal.pt · skrotymeczow.pl · maisfutebol.iol.pt · ocp.news · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Referee Marcos Roberto de Jesus Nunes was called “macaco” by a fan (the father of a Votoraty player) during the first half of the Sub‑15 match Votoraty vs Referência. radiosampaio.com.br · www.cmjornal.pt · skrotymeczow.pl · maisfutebol.iol.pt · ocp.news
- [● 4 SOURCES] In the Sub‑20 match XV de Jaú vs Ituano, Ituano forward João Vitor reported being called “macaco” by opponent defender Eraso. www.africas.com.br · portaltucuma.com.br · www.metropoles.com · tnonline.uol.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] A fourth official took over the second half and the match ended 3‑0 in favor of Referência. radiosampaio.com.br · www.cmjornal.pt · skrotymeczow.pl · maisfutebol.iol.pt · ocp.news
- [● 4 SOURCES] In the Sub‑17 match São Bernardo vs Rio Branco, assistant referee Denival da Silva Pereira was subjected to homophobic abuse; the incident was reported and the FPF activated its anti‑discrimination ‑ dev.tnonline.com.br · tribunadepetropolis.com.br · www.dgabc.com.br · www.oliberal.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] During the same Sub‑20 match, homophobic slurs were directed at assistant referee Marcelo Zamian de Barros (or Denival da Silva Pereira in other matches). www.africas.com.br · portaltucuma.com.br · tnonline.uol.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] The fan who insulted Nunes was identified and charged with a racism offence punishable by two to five years in prison. radiosampaio.com.br · www.cmjornal.pt · skrotymeczow.pl · maisfutebol.iol.pt · ocp.news