A FLAMENGO supporter has been arrested and banned from matches after kissing an ESPN reporter during a live broadcast.
Jessica Dias was recording a piece to camera ahead of Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores clash with Velez Sarsfield when a Brazilian fan was pictured kissing her on the face.
The supporter, named by newspaper El Pais as Marcelo Benevides Silva, was subsequently arrested for alleged sexual harassment.
Later that evening, Flamengo wrote on social media: “Clube de Regatas do Flamengo repudiates the harassment committed by a red-black fan with ESPN journalist Jessica Dias during a report before tonight’s match.
“It is unfortunate that disgusting acts like this, which do not represent the Red-Black Nation, still happen.”
According to Brazilian paper O Globo, Benevides Silva was released a day after the game – but is now banned from matches and unable to leave his state without judicial permission.
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He has also been banned from coming into contact with Dias.
After the incident, Dias wrote on Instagram: “It was just a kiss on the cheek.
“Not. It was not. Before, they had a lot of cursing and harassment because the live took a long time. I asked for calm and for him not to be cursing, he did not need to.
“The “apologies” came with smoothing the shoulders and a kiss on the spot. I was about to be called to the link and I held the position, there is a logistics that requires concentration.
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“Another attempt at a kiss on the shoulder. I dodged and my camera caught his eye. The last act was the kiss on the cheek. That it could have been in the mouth and it wouldn’t change a thing.
“I suffered sexual harassment while working and that is a crime. I didn’t want a kiss, I didn’t want affection, I didn’t want to spend 3 hours in a police station. I just wanted to work.
“The human who did this was with an underage son who apologized to his father. The boy is not to blame, don’t punish his family.
“I appreciate all the support and affection of my bosses,@espnbrasilit’s yes@lbvbrasil. I especially thank the@bandeira2000 e @andrelzdsouza, my team on the agenda.
“Two MEN of character, who went after the guy and stayed with me the whole time. Saturday I get married and at the altar I will kiss the man I allowed to do so. I’ll be away from here and the canals for a few days. Thank you all.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
