River Plate women’s players released from prison after arrest for alleged racism

Four players were detained after game in São PauloMatch was called off after apparent monkey gesture

A Brazilian judge has ordered the release from prison of four players from River Plate’s women’s football team, all of whom were arrested over alleged racial slur during a match against Grêmio.

Judge Fernando Oliveira Camargo decided to free the Argentinian club’s quartet of Candela Díaz, Camila Duarte, Juana Cángaro and Milagros Díaz, on condition they remain in Brazil and show up at court in São Paulo every month until the case is concluded.

The players spent Christmas at the city’s Carandiru penitentiary after the incidents during the Brazil Ladies’ Cup match on 21 December. The match in São Paulo was stopped in the first half after Candela Díaz made apparent monkey gestures to a ball boy, which were shown in TV broadcast footage.

Grêmio players walked off in protest over the incident, with scuffles having initially broken out after the Brazilian side had scored in the group-stage game. The referee subsequently showed red cards to six River Plate players, and ended the match because the visitors did not have enough players to continue.

The score was 1-1 but the referee awarded the match to Grêmio, who went on to win the final of the invitational tournament, beating compatriots Bahia on penalties. The Brazil Ladies’ Cup also banned River from the tournament for two years.

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