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Four River Plate women's players released from prison after alleged racist slur during game against Gremio
Baku, December 29, AZERTAC
Four River Plate women's players have been granted bail on condition following their arrest for on-field racism, Goal reported.
The incident happened on December 21 during a Brazil Ladies’ Cup match between Gremio and the Argentina giants. The game in Sao Paulo was stopped after Candela Diaz was spotted on live TV making monkey gestures at a ballboy. After a brief scuffle, Gremio left the pitch in protest as six River Plate stars were sent off. The match was awarded to the Brazilians as River Plate did not have enough players on the pitch to continue the game.
As the match ended, Candela Diaz, Milagros Diaz, Duarte and Cangaro were taken into custody by the Sao Paulo police as the quartet spent Christmas in prison. On Saturday, a Brazilian judge granted them bail, but on the condition that they will remain in Brazil and show up in court in Sao Paulo every month until the case ends.
Speaking to AP, the lawyer of the four players said: "We see in this decision a great arbitrariness and the Brazilian judiciary’s desire to send a message. They used this case for that purpose."
River Plate have announced that they will take strict disciplinary actions against their four players and work hard to eradicate racism from football.
