In 1923, a team considered small, which had just been promoted to first division, won the Carioca championship. As if this were not enough to provoke the wrath of the great aristocratic clubs, the champion was made up of humble workers, whites, blacks and mulattos, without money or social position. This champion was the Vasco da Gama.
At that time, the racism prevailed in Brazilian football. In 1921, it was debated whether players of color should be called for matches between the Brazilian and Argentina.
As revenge for daring Vasco? Clubs aristocrats met and resolved to exclude players humble, on the grounds that practiced professionalism.
At a meeting held at the headquarters of the Metropolitan League, Mario Polo, President of Fluminense, had conditions imposed on so-called smaller clubs. These would have to present material and technical conditions and dispose of their membership considered professional players appearing on a list that was read at the time.
Finally took the floor Barbosa Junior, SC Mackenzie, representative of so-called smaller clubs, condemning the racism of big clubs, because the affected players were only mulatto of Vasco, Bangor, São Cristóvão and Andaraí, being the most Vasco impaired of all. The Aryans of Fluminense, Botafogo, Flamengo and America were even slightly touched.
Seeing their plans going awry, the big clubs have decided they would deviate from the Metropolitan League, forming a new entity, the Metropolitan Association of Athletic Sports. Was decreed the division of football in Rio.
A letter signed by the president of Vasco was sent to Arnaldo Guinle, president of AMEA (acronym in portuguese for Metropolitan Association of Athletic Sports), declaring publicly that he refused to participate in the new entity. This historical document, led to extinction of racism in football.
Pics:
www.flickr.com/photos/galeriavasco/sets/72157626214537313/
.jpg)
