Kleiton Lima, the Santos women’s coach, resigns after accusations of harassment and protests

Former Brazilian women’s national football team coach Kleiton Lima resigned on Monday from his position as manager of Santos, the top team, the club said. The reason for Lima’s resignation was player protests over harassment allegations.

Football players from a number of the top women’s teams in Brazil covered their mouths and ears during pre-match ceremonies over the weekend in protest against Santos’s decision to rehire Lima. Lima had resigned from the team the previous year after the team received 19 anonymous letters from players accusing him of sexual harassment and abusive behavior.

Lima, 49, disputes the charges. Pele’s famed club, Santos, reinstated him earlier this month after an internal inquiry that, according to the team, was unable to uncover any evidence to support the allegations.

The choice sparked intense debate. Prior to their match against Santos on Friday, players from league leaders Corinthians covered their ears and lips during the playing of the national anthem.

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In response to the 19 letters criticizing Lima, players from other clubs staged demonstrations along similar lines or even took selfies with their backs to the camera while wearing the number 19.

The club announced in a statement, “Kleiton Lima has submitted his resignation to protect his family, integrity, and Santos FC.” The resignation was accepted.

After being rehired, Lima had reportedly been “a target of criticism and even death threats.”

Former player Lima guided the Brazilian women’s national team to the 2010 Copa America championship and the World Cup in 2011.

Since 1999, he has been Santos’s intermittent coach. His two league championships (2007 and 2009) and two Copa Libertadores (2009 and 2010) made him the most successful coach in the club’s women’s history.