Brazilian soccer fans stepping up racist attacks on players and referees

Brazilian soccer player Marcos Arouca da Silva, known as Arouca, became the latest victim to be targeted by racist soccer fans. Last year, Mario Balotelli who plays for an Italian club made headlines when he allegedly started crying over racist taunts from fans. Arouca was giving an interview to a reporter after a match when fans called him ”monkey.”

According to Sports Illustrated, “The insults came a day after a referee said he was targeted by racist fans before and after a match, and less than a month after another Brazilian player was insulted in a Copa Libertadores game in Peru.”

Marcos Arouca da Silva said that he hopes ”someone can do something serious about it because it’s lamentable.”

Brazil is set to host the World Cup in a few months.