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New York Times
25-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Cruzeiro contact security forces over ‘attacks, threats' towards players after cup exit
Brazilian club Cruzeiro say they have contacted security forces after decapitated mannequins depicting three of its players were hung from a bridge in Belo Horizonte. Headless mannequins wearing the shirts of Marlon, William and Matheus Pereira — stained in red to resemble blood — were hung days after Cruzeiro's penalty defeat to America MG in the Campeonato Mineiro semi-finals. Advertisement Marlon and William missed their penalties in the shootout defeat while former West Bromwich Albion playmaker Pereira, who did not play in the match, has been linked with a move away from the club. Cruzeiro, who exited the competition after failing to win any of their most recent five matches, called on authorities to investigate the issue. A club statement on Monday 'called upon security forces to ensure all necessary measures are taken regarding this matter.' The club added they condemned the 'threats made against America MG goalkeeper Matheus Mendes', who saved the Marlon and William penalties. 'Episodes like these only expose how much we need to evolve as a society,' Cruzeiro's statement added. 'The club understands and accepts the demands and criticism, but hopes they remain within the realm of sports and never turn into attacks, threats, or offenses, regardless of the team or club.' Cruzeiro, whose most recent Campeonato Mineiro title came in 2019, have seen rivals Atletico Mineiro win each of the most recent five editions of the tournament. Last year's defeated Copa Sudamericana finalists Cruzeiro begin their 2025 Brazilian Serie A league campaign on March 28 at home to Mirassol. This incident mirrors that of January 2023 in Madrid, when a mannequin wearing Vinicius Junior's shirt was hung from the neck from a bridge ahead of a between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. ()
Reuters
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Cruzeiro denounce threats after display of decapitated player mannequins
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Brazilian club Cruzeiro reported threats to police on Monday after decapitated mannequins, dressed in jerseys of three of their players and smeared with red stains resembling blood, were found hanging from a bridge in Belo Horizonte. The mannequins wearing the numbers three, 10 and 12 shirts of players Marlon, William and Matheus Pereira respectively, appeared two days after Cruzeiro's 4-2 loss on penalties to America MG in the Campeonato Mineiro semi-finals. Marlon and William missed penalties in the shootout loss, while Pereira, who was sidelined on Saturday, has faced criticism from fans over his desire to play in Europe and a recent failed move to Russia's Zenit St Petersburg. "Cruzeiro vehemently repudiates and regrets the attacks on the lives of some of its players that took place last night," the club said in a statement. "The club has called in the security forces so that all measures can be taken in this regard. "Episodes like these only highlight how much we need to evolve as a society. "The club understands and accepts criticism, but it must remain in the sporting sphere and never be attacks, threats or offences, regardless of the team or club." Cruzeiro also condemned death threats from fans against America goalkeeper Matheus Mendes, who saved a penalty in Saturday's penalty shootout. Cruzeiro, who appointed Leonardo Jardim as coach earlier this month, have not won the Campeonato Mineiro since 2019, watching their bitter rivals Atletico Mineiro claim the title five years in a row since then. The Belo Horizonte-based team, formerly owned by Brazil great Ronaldo, finished ninth in the Brazilian Serie A last season and lost the Copa Sudamericana final to Argentina's Racing Club in November.
