Vice president of Serbian club defends racist abuse of Brazilian player

The vice-president of Serbian club FK Rad Beograd, whose fans racially abused rival player Everton Luiz, has defended her team and launched a vile attack on the player saying he should: “Go back to Brazil and show your dark fingers to them”.

Jelena Polic Everton Luiz

Jelena Polic (left) and Everton Luiz Source: Facebook/Getty Images

Partizan Belgrade player Luiz left Sunday's derby with FK Rad Beograd in a flood of tears after suffering racist abuse the entire match at the hands of the rival fans.

The Brazilian, who joined Partizan last year, played through monkey chants and other abuse, including a racist banner in the stands where Rad fans were standing.

But instead of condemn her club's fans, FK Rad executive Jelena Polic took to Facebook to launched a vile attack on Luiz.
“The whole story about this "big" Everton player and the stuff that happened on the game between Rad and Partizan is biased and sad," she said in the post that has since been removed.

“Apparently we have to respect others more than ourselves, to be proud when in the 'TITO' team (Partizan) has 7 foreign players. And then fake tears, fake 'I love Serbia and I see it as my home' story.

“Well, why don't you go back to Brazil and show your dark fingers to them and swear on Brazilians mothers and everything will be ok.

"SAY NO TO RACISM (insert laughing emojis)."
Jelena Polic
Speaking after the match Luiz said he was overcome by emotion after suffering abuse the full 90 minutes.

"My family and I feel at home in Serbia and this is why I could not stop the tears after the game," he said.

"I took 90 minutes of racist abuse and other insults from the terraces and thereafter I found myself in a cauldron of emotionless individuals who charged at me when they should have protected me.

"I want to forget this, refocus on football and urge everyone to say 'No' to racism."
everton_luiz_-_comp_0.jpg
The 28-year-old has since hit back at the supporters insisting he wants to fight racism and show the abusers that he is stronger.

"That hasn't passed my mind. I need to show them that we are stronger," he told the Mail. 

"We can't simply choose to run away. I will always fight against these types of people.

"I want my children to grow up strong and knowing that, yes, these things can happen.

"Unfortunately it's not just here that there are people with these kinds of attitudes. But I also don't want them to suffer. If it hurts me this much, I can't imagine them hurting too."


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3 min read
Published 23 February 2017 11:26am
Source: SBS

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