Accused of sexual and moral harassment, a Brazilian coach returns to his club and provokes the anger of his former players

Polémique au Brésil, le pays du football. Midi Libre – THIERRY ALBENQUE

Les joueuses de clubs féminins professionnels brésiliens ont protesté ce week-end contre le retour au club de l’entraîneur de Santos Kleiton Lima, accusé l’an dernier de harcèlement sexuel et moral par plusieurs sportives.

The players of Atlético Mineiro and América Mineiro posed together in a photo in which they covered their mouths, before the start of their disputed match in the municipality of Contagem, for the Brazilian women's championship.

Atletico Mineiro defender Layza, holder of N.19, was notably photographed with her back turned and a player from America Mineiro lifted the club jersey wearing the same number.

Accusé de harcèlement sexuel et moral par 19 joueuses, le coach de Santos Kleiton Lima est revenu après avoir été blanchi dans une enquête interne où les femmes n'ont pas été entendues.

En signe de protestation, les adversaires miment d'être bâillonnéespic.twitter.com/ev0rxmSBSk

— UN TRUC DE FOOT (@untrucdefoot) April 13, 2024

Earlier in the week, two other players showed the N.19 on their jerseys during a meeting between Palmeiras and Avai Kindermann.

Gestures in reference to 19 anonymous letters sent last September by players to the Santos board of directors, which accused 49-year-old Brazilian coach Kleiton Lima of "moral and sexual harassment&quot ;, especially during training or club-related activities.

"These were extremely weak and fragile arguments"

Lima, who denies the allegations, resigned when the accusations were highlighted by local media. However, in the absence of evidence according to the Brazilian club, he then returned to Santos at the beginning of April.

"These were extremely weak and fragile arguments that needlessly tarnished the history of Santos", declared Thais Picarte, coordinator of the section women's football club.

Friday, during a match between Santos and Corinthians, played at home, the players of the Paulista club also covered their mouths and ears during the national anthem.< /p>

This in front of coach Kleiton Lima, then on the bench. The latter coached the Sao Paulo club three times (1999-2010, 2022-2023, return in 2024) and notably won two championships there (2007-2009). He was also coach of the Brazilian women's national team, with whom he won the Copa America in 2010.