Thread by @Barca_Buzz

✍️ Translation of the open letter of Barça Femení player Gio Queiroz to Joan Laporta

“Dear President, it has not been easy to get to this point. Despite everything I’ve suffered, today I feel capable of denouncing the abusive behavior I received within FC Barcelona Femení.” #FCB

✍️ “The culture of harassment and sexist violence towards women cannot be tolerated. The complaint, with all the details and evidence, has already been submitted to the Board of Directors. Those responsible for the abusive conduct are identified perfectly.”

✍️ “I arrived at the club when I was 17, in July 2020. I was welcomed by the players and coaching staff. My motivation was great and I had a strong desire to learn. It was a great dynamic until I was called up by the Brazilian National Team.”

✍️ “From that moment onwards, I began to receive different treatment from the club. I received indications that playing for Brazil would not be good for my future with the club. They were cornering me in an abusive way so that I did not play for the Brazilian national team.”

✍️ “In February 2021, I was illegally confined by the club. The head of club medical services claimed that I had been a close contact of a COVID case. From the beginning I sensed that the real reasons for confinement was others.”

✍️ “As the doctors order was against protocol, I contacted the Catalan Health Department. The answer was forceful, my case was not and could not be considered close contact under Catalan health protocol.”

✍️ “In the end, they locked me up illegally and I couldn’t leave home. I was devastated. This also meant that I couldn’t travel with the squad for the Copa de La Reina final.”

✍️ “After completing my quarantine, I received permission from FIFA to join the Brazil squad in the United States, with the full knowledge of the club. Before leaving I carried out PCR tests, the results were always negative.”

✍️ “When I returned to the club, a meeting was held with a Club Director in which I was unfairly accused of breaching protocol and traveling without club authorization.”

✍️ “I tried to prove my innocence. But in a threatening, adamant tone, the Director said to me “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you.” I panicked, I was scared for my future.”

✍️ “From that moment on my life changed forever. I was exposed to humiliating situations for months within the club. It was clear that he wanted to destroy my reputation, undermine my self-esteem, and degrade my working conditions.”

✍️ “FC Barcelona is not directly responsible for this abuse, but they just be responsible for ensuring mental and moral integrity over any type of abuse. The memories, the trauma, and it’s effects are likely to last for years, my personal/professional life was deeply affected.”

✍️ “I hope that FC Barcelona fulfills it’s institutional role and acts transparently while investigating and reporting any possible crimes to relevant authorities.”

✍️ “I also hope that the club, through its president, commits to implementing effective measures to combat the well-documented and evident problem of workplace harassment and physiological abuse against women.”

✍️ “Finally, I want to thank the people who have helped and supported me throughout the most difficult moments of my life. Sincerely, Giovana Queiroz Costa.”