Benfica Player Fined Half Salary for Sexist Remarks Against Female Referee

The Portugal-based Sport Lisboa e Benfica is facing an awkward public relations situation after a player on loan from the Lisbon giant—Gustavo Marques—was fined half his salary and suspended by his Brazilian club Red Bull Bragantino for making sexist remarks about a female referee. The incident, which erupted following a tense match in São Paulo, has triggered a broader conversation about gender discrimination in football and highlighted the reputational risks clubs face when players they own, even while loaned abroad, generate controversy.

Why This Matters:

• Professional accountability: The 50% salary cut—donated to a women's support charity—signals how clubs are increasingly monetizing fines to fund social causes.

• Broader penalties possible: Brazil's Sports Justice system could impose a 5-to-10-match ban plus a fine up to R$100,000 under anti-discrimination statutes.

• Benfica's silence: The Portuguese club has not issued a public statement, raising questions about accountability for loaned players' conduct.

The Incident: Post-Match Comments Ignite Firestorm

Gustavo Marques, a 24-year-old Brazilian central defender under contract with Benfica but currently on loan to Red Bull Bragantino, triggered widespread outrage after his club's 2-1 defeat to São Paulo in the Paulista Championship quarterfinals on February 21. Speaking to media after the loss, Marques directly challenged the Paulista Football Federation's decision to appoint Daiane Muniz—one of Brazil's most accomplished referees—to officiate the match.

"I think the Paulista Federation needs to look at games of this magnitude and not appoint a woman," Marques told reporters, visibly frustrated. He attempted to soften the blow by adding, "With all respect to women in the world, I'm married, I have my mother," before concluding, "I apologize if I'm saying something against women."

The comments went viral within hours. Daiane Muniz, a FIFA-listed referee who has officiated at the 2023 Women's World Cup, the Paris 2024 Olympics, and multiple youth World Cup finals, became the focal point of a sexism scandal in one of South America's most football-obsessed nations. The backlash was swift and unforgiving.

The Paulista Football Federation issued a scathing rebuke, describing Marques' remarks as "primitive, sexist, prejudiced, and misogynistic"—language incompatible with modern football values. The federation confirmed it would refer the matter to Brazil's Sports Justice tribunal, where Marques could face charges under Article 243-G of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice, carrying potential penalties of a 5-to-10-game suspension and fines reaching R$100,000 (approximately €18,000).

Red Bull Bragantino's Response: Financial Penalty with Social Purpose

On Monday, February 23, Red Bull Bragantino—currently 7th in the Brazilian Serie A—announced it was docking 50% of Marques' total monthly salary and redirecting the funds to Rendar, a regional NGO supporting women in vulnerable situations in the Bragança Paulista area of São Paulo state.

The club's official statement, posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), left no room for ambiguity: "Red Bull Bragantino informs that defender Gustavo Marques will receive a fine of 50% of his total earnings as a result of the sexist statements made against referee Daiane Muniz following the match against São Paulo. He will also not be selected for the game against Athletico-PR on Wednesday."

The statement continued: "The fine amount will be donated to the Rendar NGO, which cares for women in vulnerable situations in the Bragantino region. Red Bull Bragantino is in ongoing discussions with Rendar and other institutions in Bragança Paulista to intensify and disseminate social and educational measures that already take place throughout the year, both within the club and in our society."

The move reflects a growing trend among Brazilian football clubs to convert disciplinary fines into social investments, turning public scandals into funding streams for community organizations.

Who Is Daiane Muniz? A Trailblazing Official Under Fire

Daiane Caroline Muniz dos Santos, born May 25, 1988, in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, is a physical education teacher who has become one of Brazil's most respected referees. She joined the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in 2012 and achieved FIFA certification in 2018, opening doors to international assignments.

Her career milestones include:

• First woman to referee a men's match in the Mato Grosso do Sul state championship in 2020.

• VAR official for Brazil's top-tier Serie A league.

• Paris 2024 Olympics: VAR for both the men's final and women's bronze medal match.

• Women's World Cup 2023: VAR assignment.

• 2024 Women's U-17 World Cup final: Lead referee.

Muniz is among the 7% of certified referees in Brazil who are women, a figure that underscores the systemic underrepresentation of female officials in South American football. She has been nominated to remain on FIFA's international referee panel for 2025 and is reportedly in contention for a historic assignment at the 2026 men's World Cup—which would make her one of the first women to officiate at that level.

The Paulista Football Federation employs 36 female referees and assistants and has pledged to expand women's participation in officiating. Yet Muniz's career has not been without controversy. In 2023, she was temporarily removed from duty by the CBF after a disputed VAR decision in a match between Internacional and Cruzeiro, though the federation later reinstated her.

Marques' Apology: Family Pressure and Public Contrition

Facing a tidal wave of criticism, Gustavo Marques issued multiple apologies. "I already apologized to the referee. It was a bad statement, I apologize for what I said," he told reporters. "I ask forgiveness from all women in the world. My mother and sister have already scolded me. All human beings make mistakes."

The apology, while public, did not prevent Red Bull Bragantino from imposing the financial penalty or Brazil's Sports Justice from launching an investigation. Legal experts note that Article 243-G of Brazil's sports code explicitly prohibits discriminatory conduct based on gender, and the severity of the potential sanctions reflects the country's legislative efforts to combat sexism in sport.

What About Benfica? The Lisbon Club's Notable Silence

Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of Portugal's most prominent clubs, has not released an official statement regarding Marques' conduct. The 24-year-old defender, who briefly appeared for Benfica's senior squad two seasons ago, is under contract with the Portuguese club but was loaned to Red Bull Bragantino for competitive experience.

The absence of a public response from Benfica's leadership has raised eyebrows among football governance observers, particularly given that clubs are increasingly expected to take responsibility for the behavior of contracted players—even those on loan. In Portugal, the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) amended its disciplinary regulations in July 2020 to include penalties for gender-based discrimination, covering players, coaches, and officials.

These episodes occur amid rising reports of sexism and transphobia in football across South America and Europe.

Impact on Expats & Investors in Portugal's Football Ecosystem

For those living in Portugal with ties to Benfica—whether as season ticket holders, investors, or professional stakeholders—the incident underscores the reputational risks embedded in the modern player loan system. While Benfica technically retains Marques' registration, the club's public inaction could be interpreted as tacit acceptance of discriminatory behavior, a stance increasingly unpalatable to sponsors and commercial partners.

The case also highlights the extraterritorial reach of social justice norms in football. Portuguese clubs sending players abroad must now contend with the possibility that off-field conduct in distant markets can generate domestic reputational damage, especially in an era of instant social media amplification.

Additionally, the incident offers a window into how Brazilian sports law is evolving. The potential R$100,000 fine under Article 243-G represents roughly €18,000—a significant sum that could impact Marques' long-term financial position and marketability. For clubs scouting Brazilian talent, the episode serves as a reminder that behavioral risk assessments must now accompany technical evaluations.

Broader Context: Gender Discrimination in Football's Legal Landscape

According to a September 2024 survey by British organization Kick It Out, more than half of female football fans have experienced sexism at matches. Yet the same research noted that clubs are increasingly implementing "positive and decisive measures" to address discriminatory behavior, including stadium bans, arrests, and mandatory education programs.

In Portugal, the LPFP's 2020 regulatory amendments empower match officials to sanction discriminatory conduct in real time, with penalties ranging from fines to multi-game suspensions. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has also launched educational initiatives targeting youth academies, aiming to normalize gender equality principles before players reach professional ranks.

The Red Bull Bragantino case—featuring a financial penalty redirected to a women's charity—may serve as a template for future sanctions across European leagues, including Portugal's Primeira Liga. Clubs are increasingly leveraging fines as both punitive tools and public relations assets, converting negative incidents into demonstrable social impact.

What Happens Next: Legal Timeline and Career Implications

Brazil's Sports Justice tribunal is expected to rule on Marques' case within 30 to 60 days. If convicted under Article 243-G, he could face:

• A 5-to-10-match suspension from domestic Brazilian competitions.

• A fine of up to R$100,000 (€18,000).

• Potential FIFA sanctions if the case is escalated internationally.

Red Bull Bragantino has already confirmed Marques will miss the February 26 match against Athletico-PR, effectively beginning his suspension ahead of any formal tribunal ruling. The club's decision to act preemptively signals an effort to insulate itself from further criticism.

For Benfica, the situation presents a strategic dilemma. The club must weigh whether to issue a belated condemnation—risking accusations of performative allyship—or maintain silence and absorb the reputational cost. As of February 26, no statement has been forthcoming from Lisbon.

Meanwhile, Daiane Muniz continues her preparation for potential assignment at the 2026 men's World Cup, where she could become one of the first female referees in the tournament's 96-year history. The Paulista Football Federation has reaffirmed its support for her, describing her as "one of Brazil's most technically proficient officials" and emphasizing that gender will never disqualify competent referees from high-stakes matches.

The episode serves as a stark reminder that football's culture wars—over gender, inclusion, and accountability—are no longer confined to boardrooms or legislative chambers. They now play out in real time, with immediate financial and legal consequences for players, clubs, and leagues alike.