Brazil player suspended for 12 matches after Sexist remark on Female Referee

A Brazilian sports tribunal has handed a 12-match suspension to Red Bull Bragantino defender Gustavo Marques for sexist remarks targeting female referee Daiane Muniz following a Sao Paulo state league defeat.

The 24-year-old was also fined 30,000 Brazilian reais (approximately USD 5,700) on Thursday, as ruled by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD).

The controversy erupted after Bragantino's 2-1 loss to Sao Paulo in the February 21 quarterfinal of the Campeonato Paulista, a prestigious state tournament featuring Brazil's top clubs like Palmeiras and Corinthians. In a heated post-match interview with TNT Brazil, Marques lashed out at Muniz, who was the center referee.

"It was our dream to reach the semifinal or even the final, but she killed our game. I think the Sao Paulo state's soccer federation has to look at matches of this importance and not give it to a woman," Marques said.

He added, "It is no good for us to play against Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Corinthians, and they put a woman to referee a match of this importance."

Muniz, one of Brazil's pioneering female referees with over a decade of experience in state and national competitions, has officiated high-stakes Paulista matches before, drawing praise for her composure amid Brazil's male-dominated football culture. Marques' comments ignited backlash amid ongoing debates about gender equality in officiating, especially after similar incidents in South American football.

The defender later issued a public apology on social media, acknowledging his error. "I was nervous and I said things I shouldn't have. I talked to Daiane, apologized to her too. She had an assistant with her, I asked her for her forgiveness too for she is also a woman. I was wrong for saying it," he stated.

"My wife criticised what I said, my mom did too. I am being a man and a human being by coming here to ask forgiveness for what I said," he added.

The suspension applies solely to competitions under the Sao Paulo Football Federation (FPF), sparing Marques from missing Brasileirão Série A or Copa do Brasil games. Neither Marques nor Bragantino has responded officially to the ruling. Local outlets report the club internally fined the player 50% of his March wages, signalling strong disciplinary action amid Red Bull Bragantino's push for a top-four finish in the national league.