Internacional’s Coach Issues Apology for Anti-Gay Comment
By Adriana Garcia
Date: December 1, 2025, 01:06 PM ET
Abel Braga, the newly appointed head coach of Brazilian team Internacional, has publicly apologized for a derogatory comment he made regarding the club’s pink training gear.
During his introductory press conference on Sunday, as he embarked on his eighth tenure with the relegation-threatened club, the 73-year-old Braga referenced a conversation with team director Andres D’Alessandro and made a lighthearted but inappropriate remark about the pink vests worn during training.
Later that day, Braga took to Instagram to address the controversy, stating: “Fans of Internacional, I recognize that my comment about the color pink during the press conference was not appropriate.” He continued, “Before this gets out of hand, I want to apologize. Colors do not determine gender; character is what truly matters. Internacional requires peace and diligent effort. Let’s go, Inter!”
Currently, Internacional is situated in the relegation zone and is tied on points with Santos, who occupy the final safe position, with only two matches left in the season.
Historically, Internacional has faced relegation just once in its 116 years of existence.
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