Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
Bahia player investigated over video attacking the Northeast
Bahia forward Willian José shared a video that attacked Brazil’s Northeast after the 2026 presidential election’s second round.
The video’s creator called the region a “cancer” and criticized its residents for receiving state aid.
Bahia supporters condemned the post, and José said he had shared it to warn about politicians and urge voters to think carefully.
The Bahia state prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into suspected xenophobia, with no deadline announced.
The club left José out of its matchday squad for a Brazilian league game against São Paulo, though the reason was not officially disclosed.
Bahia said it had handled the matter internally and that the video did not represent the club’s values.
The investigation will continue, but no further steps or timetable have been announced.
Bahia striker Willian José is under investigation in Bahia over a video he shared that called the Northeast “a cancer of this country.”
The Bahia state prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry on October 28 to examine suspected xenophobia.
The video’s influencer criticized the Northeast after Brazil’s October 25 presidential runoff.
Willian said his post was meant to warn people to think carefully when voting, and that government should focus on public services and quality of life.
Bahia said it does not support hate, xenophobia or prejudice and that the video did not represent the club’s values.
- Who
- Bahia striker Willian José is being investigated by the Bahia state prosecutor’s office.
- What
- An inquiry is examining suspected xenophobia after he shared a video attacking the Northeast.
- When
- The video was shared on October 25, 2026. The inquiry was opened on October 28.
- Where
- The case is in Bahia, Brazil. The video criticized Brazil’s Northeast region.
- Why
- The inquiry followed the sharing of a video that called the Northeast “a cancer of this country.
Willian José
Critics of the video
Purpose of the post
Willian José
Willian said his message was about considering how to vote and urging better government services.
Critics of the video
Critics condemned his sharing of a video that attacked the Northeast.
Characterization of the content
Willian José
Willian said he was warning about how politicians make people dependent on them.
Critics of the video
Bahia said it does not support hate, xenophobia or prejudice, and that the video did not represent its values.
Willian José shared the video after the second round of Brazil’s presidential election.
Bahia said the matter had been handled internally and that the video did not represent the club’s values.
The Bahia state prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry into suspected xenophobia.
Bahia were due to play São Paulo in the Brazilian league, and Willian José was not included in the squad.
- Player
- Willian José
- Club
- Esporte Clube Bahia
- Inquiry opened
- October 28, 2026
- Investigating body
- Bahia state prosecutor’s office
- Video shared
- October 25, 2026
- Match
- Bahia versus São Paulo, at Arena Fonte Nova
3 sources
What people are saying
Northeast, you are a cancer of this country and I want you to go to hell
I am from the Northeast and I live in the Northeast! My family is from the Northeast!
the content does not represent our values