Paddle player Florencia Soudoro suspended from Argentina team after writing 'except Jews'

Argentina's paddle federation temporarily suspended player Florencia Soudoro from the national team after she posted antisemitic statements on social media in which she explicitly excluded Jews, and she is now expected to face a disciplinary proceeding under the bylaws.

Argentina's paddle federation announced that Florencia Soudoro has been temporarily suspended from the team in the sport following antisemitic statements she posted on social media. According to the federation's statement, she will not participate in the Pan-American championship scheduled for next month in Uruguay, and a disciplinary proceeding will be opened against her under the bylaws. The storm erupted after Soudoro shared an Instagram story in which she said she was chosen to represent Argentina at the championship, and wrote that she was inviting her followers to vote on the shirt she would wear at the tournament, but explicitly stated that the Jewish community was not wanted in the vote.

Following harsh criticism, Soudoro deleted her Instagram account, and according to reports, this was not her first antisemitic post on social media. In the past, Soudoro posted on her X account a tweet referring to President Milei's decision to issue a tender for laying 4,400 kilometers of toll roads, in which she wrote 'What Jew will be left with the tolls on all these roads, huh?'

Argentina's Sports Ministry also responded sharply to the paddle player's story. In a statement released by the Ministry, it was stated that it fully supports the paddle federation's decision in response to the antisemitic statements distributed on Soudoro's personal account, and that it opposes all forms of discrimination on any grounds whatsoever, and that this is not consistent with the values of sport. It was further stated that representing Argentina and wearing the national shirt is a great honor that also carries great responsibility.

Hours after the storm, Soudoro apologized in a statement she sent to the Jewish community in Argentina, in which she wrote that she is requesting 'deep and sincere apology for my posts on social media.' According to her, this is an 'unacceptable act' contrary to the values of human dignity that should guide every person representing the nation, and there is no excuse or justification for it. She added that she deeply regrets the damage, pain and anger she caused, and said she accepts full responsibility for her words.