Sports
Black Venezuelan Faces Racism in Chile; May Leave
Columbus’ Emilio Renteria, center, kicks a goal against Seattle in May 2012. The Crew beat the Fire, 2-1, tonight, with help from Renteria, who found the left corner of the net for Columbus’ second goal. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Black Venezuelan football player Emilio Renteria says racist chants against him have been so ferocious that he is considering leaving his Chilean club San Marcos de Arica.
Renteria says “I’m not sure I will stay in Chile. My mother and various family members called me crying. They said if you have to put up with this, better to leave.”
A match Saturday against Deportes Iquique was stopped for 71 minutes by the referee because of monkey chants and racist remarks directed at Renteria. He scored the only goal in the game.
Racism and fan violence are common in Latin American football. Chile will be in the spotlight next year as host to the 12-team Copa America — the continental championship. Tournament favorites like Brazil and Colombia have many black players.
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