August 5 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has leapt to the defence of referee Katia Itzel Garcia, who reported she was subject to death threats over the weekend after officiating the Leagues Cup match between CF Monterrey and Cincinnati.
Following a close offside call going in their favour, Cincinnati went on to win the tie 3-2, sparking a wave of threats from fans of the Mexican club.
The Abuse, shared over the ensuing 48 hours, apparently came from a Monterrey fan who blamed García’s officiating for the team’s loss.
Amongst the worst of the abusive messages were threats such as, “you’re going to die” and “we’re going to kill your entire family.”
The 32-year-old referee shared the messages publicly, setting off a wave of support over the weekend, with football governing bodies from both Mexico and worldwide issuing statements backing her.
“In Mexico, a country where 10 women are murdered every day, where 91 people are murdered every day (men and women). We cannot normalise violence,” García wrote on Instagram. “I totally reject violence in all spaces!”
Several governing bodies have since pledged to work together to hold the aggressors behind these threats accountable.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has since joined in to put an arm around Garcia.
“I am dismayed and saddened by the threats against referee Katia Itzel following her performance in the Leagues Cup first round matches between Monterrey and Cincinnati,” he wrote on his Instagram account on Monday.
“There is no place in football and society for abuse, discrimination and violence of any kind.
“At FIFA, we stand in solidarity with the FMF and CONCACAF in condemning the actions of those who make these unacceptable threats. We offer our unconditional support in holding those responsible to account.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1754402467labto1754402467ofdlr1754402467owedi1754402467sni@g1754402467niwe.1754402467yrrah1754402467