Women’s Football Coach Banned for 6 Months for Calling Referee “Cow” – CSN News

A Portuguese women’s football coach has been suspended for six months and fined €2,400 for calling a female referee a “cow” during a match.

The Disciplinary Council of the Portuguese Football Federation has reopened the debate on gender discrimination within sport.

Coach Joel Oliveira calls referee Joana Rita Alves Oliveira a “cow”

The incident occurred during a Women’s National Promotion Cup match between Paços de Ferreira and Romariz B on February 3, in which Paços won 2–0. Joel Oliveira of Romariz B was given a red card after he aggressively disputed a decision made by the referee Joana R. Alves Oliveira in the final minutes.

Cited by MarcaOliveira shouted a referee.

So this is not punishment? You don’t know what you’re doing here… Learn how to whistle, cow, you come here without knowing what you’re doing, go home.”

FPF calls out Joel Oliveira’s “gender-discriminatory behaviour”

The FPF’s Disciplinary Council concluded that Oliveira’s behaviour constituted “gender-discriminatory behaviour” and a violation of Article 125 of its regulations. This article prohibits any offense against the dignity of an agent or spectator of sports based on their gender, ancestry or race, nationality or other protected characteristics. It allows suspensions up to three year.

As you can see, Marca Explains, the Council found:

“The expressions imputed to the accused are highly reprehensible, with a high level of intentionality and culpability, especially considering that the accused is the coach of a women’s soccer team and therefore has a special duty (…) with sporting ethics and the absence of physical and verbal violence.”

Tell us what you think below. Oliveira deserved a ban or fine, but do you agree? Do you believe his remarks weren’t that bad?

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