Gremio bans fans over racist abuse

Brazilian club Gremio have banned five fans from attending home matches after their involvement in the latest racism scandal to hit South American football.

Santos goalkeeper Aranha was racially abused by the supporters during a Copa do Brasil match in Porto Alegre Thursday. Gremio vice president Nestor Hein said an additional five fans were also banned for invading the pitch and throwing objects, reports Xinhua.

"There were 30,000 fans at the stadium and the 10 that behaved badly have stigmatised the club," Hein said, adding that the fans had been banned indefinitely from all matches at the club's Arena do Gremio.

After the match a visibly upset Aranha gave evidence to police, whose report has been handed to public prosecutors.

"The only word I have for this is disappointment. I was the victim. But this has happened before and it will keep happening if we don't take action to stop it," Aranha said.

In February former Brazil international midfielder Tinga was the target of monkey chants during a Copa Libertadores match between Cruzeiro and Real Garcilaso in Peru.

A month later, Santos midfielder Arouca was also the victim of racial abuse during his team's Sao Paulo state league match against Mogi Mirim.