The coach of the women’s team of the traditional Brazilian football club FC Santos has resigned after serious allegations against him.
Former national coach Kleiton Lima was accused of bullying and sexual harassment; in the club’s statement, the 49-year-old rejected all allegations.
Several players had accused him of abuse during training sessions, for which they had sent evidence to club president Andres Rueda, Brazilian website UOL reported, without giving details.
“An allegation like this is very serious and I will take legal action,” Lima was quoted as saying by UOL. He said he had never been the target of such complaints and accused the players of trying to “tarnish” his 30 years of coaching.
Lima had coached the team since 2022. He was coach of the women’s national team during the 2011 World Cup in Germany, and superstar Marta’s team reached the quarterfinals.