Dylan Bettencourt
“What a disgrace hearing a referee calling me a monkey,” said South African-born Lehlogonolo George Matlou after he was allegedly racially abused by Portuguese referee Nelson Cunha.
“Yes, my parents are black. I support every fight against racism. We are all equal,” he said on Twitter.
Matlou, a 22-year-old midfielder for AD Sanjoanense, was shown a red card in the late stages of the match against Sao Joao de Ver on Sunday night.
When Matlou approached Cunha, the referee – the sport’s arbiter of justice – allegedly said: “No speak English, go inside you little monkey.”
AD Sanjoanense, which plays in Portugal’s third division, released a statement regarding the incident.
“AD Sanjoanense hereby shows its deep indignation and rejection of the events at the end of the game against Sao Joao de Ver,” said the statement.
“AD Sanjoanense, as a historic and almost centenary club, cannot in any way agree with this situation and unconditionally supports George Matlou.”
They said they are striving to determine the facts and a ban of the official.
Matlou who initially went on loan to Sanjoanense in 2019 from Bidvest Wits completed his transfer to the side in September of 2020.
Image source: @TVI24
