RACISM IN THE CAREER OF BLACK FOOTBALL REFEREES IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Abstract

This article presents the views and experiences of five black former soccer referees who began their careers in Rio Grande do Sul. The aim of this work is to analyze the racial issue in Brazilian soccer based on these narratives. The research data highlights the racial issue in Brazilian soccer today, based on the narratives of five black referees who worked for the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation). The study is characterized as qualitative, descriptive and interpretive, using narrative interviews with five former black soccer referees from Rio Grande do Sul, who refereed elite Brazilian soccer matches between 1985 and 2014, as a data collection technique. The narratives demonstrate the persistence of racial prejudice and discrimination in the professional careers of these referees. The data from this research contributes to reflection on race relations in the country and to strategies for tackling racism.