The Brazilian club Santos announced on Monday the resignation of the coach of its women’s football team, Kleiton Lima, after a protest movement against this former coach accused of sexual and moral harassment by several players last year.
“To preserve his family, his integrity and the Santos club itself, Kleiton Lima has submitted his resignation,” explained the formation of the State of Sao Paulo (south-east) in a press release. “Since his recruitment, he has been the target of criticism and even death threats in recent days, due to accusations dating from last year,” said the club where “King” Pelé shone.
Kleiton Lima, 49, left Santos last September, when the club’s management received 19 anonymous letters from players accusing him of “moral and sexual harassment”. The coach, who maintains his innocence, regained his position at the beginning of April, with the club affirming that these accusations had not been proven.
A wave of protest from players from several teams in the country
Her return sparked a wave of protests from players from several teams last weekend, during the fifth day of the Brazilian championship. Several of them showed during the pre-match protocol the number 19 on their jersey, an allusion to the numbers of anonymous letters accusing the Santos coach. Others placed their hands over their mouths in protest.
Kleiton Lima coached Santos three times (1999-2010, 2022-2023, return in 2024) and notably won two national championships (2007 and 2009) and two Copa Libertadores (2009 and 2010). He was also coach of the Brazilian women’s national team, with whom he won the Copa America in 2010 and played in the 2011 World Cup.