The coach, who came out of retirement to try to save Colorado from relegation, admitted a mistake after a statement deemed homophobic
November 30
2025
– 10:24 pm
(Updated at 10:24 p.m.)
Abel Braga’s return to Internacional, this Sunday (30), ended in controversy on the first day of work.
Called up to lead the team in the final two rounds of the Brazilian League following the departure of Ramon Diaz, the 73-year-old made a comment deemed homophobic when speaking about the dressing room environment and sparked an immediate reaction.
During the introductory interview, Abel mentioned an internal conversation with sporting director D’Alessandro, his former coach, and stated that he did not want to see the team coaching in pink shirts. When narrating the speech, use a biased expression.
The excerpt is from Abel Braga, Internacional’s new coach, saying that he did not want his team to wear a pink shirt because it “looked like a gay team” and that he had to “take that shirt off”.
— DataFutebol (@DataFutebol) November 30, 2025
This incident interrupted the atmosphere that the coach was trying to create among the team, with a special focus on relieving pressure in the decisive phase of the tournament. When later asked about the comment, Appel said the statement came in a relaxed moment, as he sought to ease tensions in the group after turbulent days.
He stressed that his intention was to motivate the players, but admitted that he could have expressed himself differently. Shortly after the press conference, he posted a retraction on social media, admitting the mistake and apologizing to Colorado fans: he stated that colors do not define gender and stressed that character is what matters within the club which, according to him, needs “peace and a lot of work.”
Abel returns to Beira Rio without receiving salary and with a contract only valid for the final two matches in the Brazilian league. The challenge is enormous: Inter are 17th on 41 points, needing wins over Sao Paulo and Bragantino to escape relegation. The coach ran the first training session on Sunday and will only play two sessions until Wednesday’s decisive encounter at Villa Belmiro.
Amid the repercussions of the statement and the sporting risk, Appel is trying to quickly rebuild the team’s confidence so that the club can finish the season without a new shock.