Ceará Football Federation's Head of Refereeing Indicted for Sexual Harassment

Paulo Silvio dos Santos, the head of refereeing at the Football Federation of Ceará (FCF), has been indicted by the Civil Police for sexual harassment and molestation following accusations from several female referees. The investigation concluded that there were sufficient facts to charge Santos, with the case now moving to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Ceará (MPCE) for further review. The allegations, which reportedly began in 2018, span from the referees' training period to their professional careers. One accuser alleged attempted rape, though Santos was not indicted for this specific crime. Santos had taken a 30-day leave of absence from his FCF position after the accusations became public on July 15th, with initial reports filed on July 14th. The FCF has also launched its own administrative inquiry into the matter, led by a three-person commission including a woman. Santos has been prohibited from contacting the accusers and witnesses, and from retaliating against them. The FCF's legal director stated that Santos will not return to his post while the investigation is ongoing. Santos' defense has vehemently denied all accusations, asserting his innocence and confidence in a fair investigation that respects due process and the presumption of innocence. The defense also expressed concern over the public disclosure of allegations before the investigation's conclusion, potentially impacting the honor and image of those involved.