The captain of the women’s soccer team, Dolores Silva, considers the recent cases of sexual harassment in Portugal to be “deeply sad”, appealing to the victims to have the courage to denounce them, eliminating these episodes from society.
“It is a deep sadness. It affects not only football, unfortunately, but various sectors of our society. We stand in solidarity with all the victims and we call on those who have not yet spoken out so that they also have the courage that these girls had to denounce, ”she said, on the sidelines of the statements about the confrontation with Belgium.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) created a platform where victims of sexual harassment in football can report safely and anonymously, with female players posing for photos with a “Denuncia!” banner, before training on Monday, in the Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras. .
“It is important that they are not afraid to speak up, because that is a sad aspect that has to be quickly eliminated from our society,” said Dolores Silva, who stressed that it is part of everyone to try to “instill in people that they are not afraid and afraid to speak, because it is a serious matter and it must be reported so that it does not happen again.
Several soccer players who played at Rio Ave in 2020/21 denounced, in an article published last week by the newspaper Público, sexual harassment actions by the then coach of the Vila do Conde club Miguel Afonso, who was currently coach of Famalicão, also having Samuel Costa as director was the subject of a disciplinary file.
“We are going to be attentive to everything that is campaigns, so that we can be on the subject and show solidarity. One day it is these companions and another day it can be us. I think it is important that there are campaigns, it can give courage to people who have not yet spoken out of fear, since this is always a sensitive issue, ”she said.
When asked to comment on whether professionalism in football could accelerate the elimination of cases of sexual harassment, the Sporting de Braga player considered that “it is not just about amateurism”, because it is something “intrinsic” in society ” for many decades.” .
The Portuguese internationals Ana Borges and Sílvia Rebelo also addressed the issue, the former not being entirely surprised by this type of news: “Surprise me or not, it doesn’t surprise me so much in football and sports. It is a sad moment and a very unpleasant situation for those who live it, we can only wish them luck and give them our support”.
“Strong support and strength for all of them. Don’t be silent, denounce and don’t be afraid. I understand that sometimes there is this fear, but there are platforms where you can do it anonymously and where you do not have to expose yourself delicately and, for my part, in everything that can help, I support everyone, “he also appealed.
Sílvia Rebelo also encouraged the victims: “We are in solidarity. We encourage all the people who suffer. This is not only in football, it is in society. Unfortunately, now it happened in football, but give them strength and Courage so that they don’t shut up”. “.
Source: TSF
