Gisele Kumpel has filed a s*xual harassment complaint against the Inter of Porto Alegre mascot
The event happened last Sunday during the Clasico against Gremio.
Inter of Porto Alegre defeated Gremio, their bitter rivals, 3-2 in the Porto Alegre state competition. With the victory, Inter was now leading the 12-team regional league. Gremio trails by five points in second place, which hurts their pride.
Journalist Gisele Kumpel accuses Inter of Porto Alegre mascot Saci of s*xual harassment during football match against Gremio
🚨 Jornalista Gisele Kumpel fez um boletim de ocorrência, contra o mascote do Internacional por importunação sexual, durante a partida de hoje no Beira-rio 😳
📽 Reprodução pic.twitter.com/K5K8yrrexS
— Central do Caju (@CentraldoCaju) February 26, 2024
An awful incident that happened off the field tarnished this historic contest. Journalist Gisele Kümpel said on social media that she had reported to the local police that the Inter Porte Alegre mascot Saci had made unusual gestures in her direction.
In addition, Kümpel claims that after Alan Patrick of Inter scored the team’s third goal, the mascot hugged her and wouldn’t let go. Kümpel claims that during the score celebration, Saci also made motions that suggested he was kissing the journalist.
🚨🇧🇷 UNA PERIODISTA BRASILEÑA DENUNCIÓ A LA MASCOTA DEL INTER POR ACOSO SEXUAL
Gisele Kümpel contó que la persona debajo del disfraz la abrazó y besó sin su consentimiento
"Otro día más en el que las mujeres quieren hacer su trabajo en el fútbol y sufren por ello con unos… pic.twitter.com/wkdeAcyyT8
— Diario Olé (@DiarioOle) February 27, 2024
How is the legal matter moving forward?
Inter will work with the authorities and give the stadium cameras video of the incident. Information about the individual donning the suit during games will also be sent by Inter. Moreover, Inter added that the worker will be under supervision to make sure he behaves appropriately around fans and media.
The victim admitted that she could feel her sweat and hear the click of the kiss, and she promised to pursue the case to the end so that no woman goes through this.
The police have launched an investigation
All of the startling claims were reported to the police, who are currently looking into them. Additionally, Internatcional provided any video they had of the game from the pitch. The club has suspended the mascot, but neither they nor the local media have officially announced his name.
Kumpel told authorities about the alleged abuse and posted photos of herself at the local police station online. The claims are all related to International’s matchup with Gremio on February 25, where the wide-eyed mascot was celebrating a last-gasp victory in the fiercely fought game that ended 3-2, wearing Internacional’s iconic red home strip and cap,
Saci is always seen with a broad smile on his enormous foam head. What should have been a night of joy in Porto Alegre after the squad won the Brasileirão Série A was marred by stunning revelations. Later, footage from the game showed Kumpel behind the goal with Saci standing close by.