Decree Law 3,199 is a decree-law enacted on 14 April 1941 by Getúlio Vargas establishing the bases of the organization of sport throughout Brazil.
Soccer ("football," outside of the United States) has historically played a central role in Latin American culture, and the exclusion of women from organized sports essentially excluded them from an important facet of the Brazilian identity.
Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas painted a picture of these sports as "too violent" and "not suitable to the female body.
"[3] Government officials later cited alleged health concerns surrounding women's involvement in sports, noting that it had the potential to stunt their sexual development.
In 1944, physical education journal Revista Brasileira de Educação went so far as to warn that too many muscles would ruin female players' attractiveness.