Gustavo Marques, a 24-year-old defender for Red Bull Bragantino, has been handed a severe penalty of a 12-match suspension by the São Paulo Sports Justice due to his sexist comments directed towards referee Daiane Muniz. This disciplinary action came after the team's elimination in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Paulista against São Paulo, where after the match Marques expressed his discontent with the officiating in a manner deemed unacceptable.

The comments that led to Marques' suspension were made in an interview where he stated, "It's no use playing against São Paulo, Palmeiras, Corinthians and having a woman as a referee," expressing frustration over the officiating decision that, in his opinion, contributed to their defeat. He justified his remarks by highlighting the hard work and sacrifices players make, only to see their dreams shattered by what he perceived as biased refereeing. His comments sparked outrage and led to the sports body's swift action against him.

While Marques will miss out on state competitions due to this penalty, it is important to note that he will still be eligible to participate in national matches, including those in the Campeonato Brasileiro. He was also fined R$ 30,000. The heavy disciplinary measures reflect a broader commitment within sports to confront sexism and hold athletes accountable for their remarks, signaling a potential shift towards a more respectful environment in Brazilian football and beyond.