Argentine Athlete Removed from National Team Over Antisemitic Posts

The Argentine Padel Federation has suspended Florencia Guerra Sodero from the national team ahead of the Pan American Games in Paraguay due to antisemitic remarks she posted on social media. The federation announced on September 25th that it "unreservedly condemns" the statements made on Guerra Sodero's personal accounts. She was scheduled to represent Argentina in the tournament, taking place from October 21-24 in Asunción.

The controversy erupted after Guerra Sodero shared an Instagram story celebrating her inclusion in the national team, asking followers to participate in a poll. She specifically excluded Jewish people, writing, "No discrimination, except for Jews: they are not welcome here." The federation emphasized that representing Argentina requires "maximum respect for human dignity," stating that anyone acting against these principles "cannot wear the national team's uniform."

Following public outcry, Guerra Sodero deleted her Instagram account. The federation has initiated a disciplinary investigation into the athlete. Reports indicate this was not her only offensive statement; a previous post on her now-deleted X account, made after the government announced plans to tender national highways, read, "Some Jew will end up collecting tolls on all the roads, right?"

The federation's decision has garnered support from public figures and organizations. Claudio Avruj, former Secretary of Human Rights, stated, "There should be no place for antisemites in our society." The Argentine Jewish Representative Organization affirmed that "antisemitism and all forms of discrimination are incompatible with the values of sport and respect for human dignity."

Guerra Sodero's uncle, Vladimir Sodero, defended her, calling the remarks "a very unfortunate joke, irony" and stating she "does not hate Jews." Approximately 24 hours after the scandal broke, Guerra Sodero issued a public apology, acknowledging the "repeated and antisemitic" nature of her posts, calling them "completely unacceptable" and offering "no excuses or explanations."