Conmebol launches racism probe in to Libertadores match

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 15 (IANS) South American football governing body, Conmebol has launched an investigation into racial abuse suffered by Brazilian footballer Tinga during a Copa Libertadores match in Peru.

The 36-year-old former Brazil international was the target of monkey chants during Real Garcilaso's 2-1 Copa Libertadores victory over Cruzeiro in Peru's Andean city of Huancayo Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

In a statement on its official web site Friday, Conmebol said: "Given this alleged offence, the (Conmebol) disciplinary unit has decided to launch a preliminary investigation that could lead to the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the Peruvian club."

News of the Conmebol probe came amid a growing tide of support for Tinga and condemnation of the fans' behaviour.

A day after Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff showed her solidarity with Tinga, her Peruvian counterpart Ollanta Humala expressed his dismay on Twitter.

"A country that is as diverse as ours and which bolsters its identity with all its cultures should not accept racist reactions of any kind," Humala said.

Current and former Brazil players including Neymar, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho also showed their support for Tinga on social media.

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