Boca Juniors fan Ahmed Ali Mahana, who made racist insults against Fluminense fans in an interview with an Argentine television channel, has been charged by the Rio de Janeiro police station with racial and hate crimes. Civilian police have requested the preventive arrest of the man, who is from Kuwait and lives in Argentina.

A Boca Juniors fan is accused of racism in Rio de Janeiro. — Reproduction/ND

The incident occurred on Copacabana beach on Friday evening (3), while a Boca Juniors fan was giving an interview to the Argentine channel TV Todo Notícias, known as TN. Asked about the confusion between rival fans the day before, he replied: “What worries if they are afraid? Slaves, shitty monkeys,” he shouted.

Footage of the broadcast went viral on social networks and came to the attention of the police department, which began an investigation. As a result of the exchange of information with the Argentine Consulate, a specialized police department was able to identify the man and complete the investigation, which was sent to the court. Police have not yet found the fan.

Another fan

On Saturday (4), during the match between Flamengo and Boca Juniors in the semi-finals of the Libertadores, an Argentine fan made gestures imitating a monkey in front of the camera of the TV channel broadcasting the game at the Maracanã. The act was caught and sparked outrage on social media.

The crime of racism is non-bailable and non-custodial as defined by the Federal Constitution and carries a prison sentence of one to three years and a fine. Civilian police said they are investigating the case and will try to identify the person responsible for the gesture.

Overnight in Copacabana, another Boca fan was arrested for biased insults. The suspect is a 19-year-old Brazilian, the son of an Argentinean, who allegedly insulted a 17-year-old teenager by calling her a “monkey” and imitating animal gestures.