Brazil coach Dorival Junior said the national team and players were going through a “difficult period” as they came to terms with the rape convictions of former players Robinho and Dani Alves.
Both the Brazilian national team and the Brazilian federation have been criticized for their silence over the incidents involving 40-year-old striker Robinho and full-back Alves.
Robinho was sentenced to nine years in prison in Brazil in 2013 for taking part in a gang rape in Italy, while Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in 2022 for raping a young woman in a Barcelona nightclub.
“As the coach of the national team, I have a duty to speak out,” Dorival said ahead of Saturday's international friendly against England at Wembley.
“First of all, I think this is a very sensitive situation. My thoughts are with the families, especially the victims, of these incidents that occur every day in our country and around the world.”
Dorival, who was crowned a five-time world champion in January, said the situation with Robinho, who coached him at Brazil's Santos, was particularly painful.
“If it is proven that a crime was committed, he must be punished, even though it pains me to say this about someone with whom I have always had a special relationship,'' the 61-year-old said. added.
“I didn't have the opportunity to work with Daniel, but we all know his story in the football world. It's a difficult time for all of us to express ourselves in these circumstances.”
Mr Dobial added: “But I am more concerned about the victims and their families.
“I know how painful it was for each of them. All I can do is help them with prayers and nothing more.”
In a statement on Friday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) described the incident as “shameful” and expressed support for “the victims of two brutal crimes committed by former players.”
CBF president Edonardo Rodríguez added that in an environment where “masculinity dominates,” men “have to fight not only sexual violence but all kinds of violence.”
Brazilian full-back Danilo, who will captain his country against England, called on football authorities to raise awareness among young players and to act “more empathetically and in the shoes of women”.
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