Brazilian soccer star Vinícius Júnior has once again been subjected to racist abuse during a Spanish league match, sparking outrage and condemnation from various quarters. In a display of solidarity, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has joined soccer clubs, players, and government officials in supporting the young forward and calling for immediate action to address the persistent issue of racism in the sport.
The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium, forcing a temporary halt in the game. Vinícius, who is Black, reported being insulted by a fan behind one of the goals, with video evidence capturing monkey chants from Valencia supporters.
President Lula, speaking at a news conference in Japan during a G7 meeting, expressed his hopes that FIFA, the Spanish League, and other soccer governing bodies would take effective measures to prevent racism and fascism from infiltrating the sport. He passionately stated, “It is not fair that a poor boy who is succeeding in life, becoming one of the world’s best players, and certainly the best at Real Madrid, is insulted in every stadium he visits.”
Lula’s sentiments were echoed by several cabinet ministers, including Brazil’s Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida, who condemned the behavior of Spanish authorities and soccer governing bodies. Almeida described their response as criminal and a clear acceptance of racism. He pledged his support to Vinícius in holding both the perpetrators and those who fail to act accountable.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes took to Twitter and directed expletive-laden remarks at Spanish league president Javier Tebas, who criticized Vinícius for speaking out against the lack of action by national authorities. Paes defended the young player and lashed out at Tebas, asking if he intended to blame the victim.
Ednaldo Rodrigues, the first Black president of the Brazilian soccer confederation, expressed his distress over the recurring incidents of racism against Vinícius in La Liga. He questioned the timeline for implementing effective measures and stressed the need for action both on and off the pitch, emphasizing that racism has no place in the sport.
Vinícius’ former club, Flamengo, issued a statement expressing shock at the recurrence of racist incidents in the Spanish league and the insufficient actions taken to combat them. Other Brazilian clubs echoed similar sentiments, condemning the lack of progress in eradicating racism from the sport.
Teammates of Vinícius in the Brazilian national team also stood in solidarity with him. Striker Richarlison emphasized the historical struggles faced by people of African descent and highlighted the resilience and strength of those who rise above such adversity. He pledged unwavering support to Vinícius, emphasizing that history will remember those who fight against racism.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that he had considered substituting Vinícius during the match due to the racial abuse he faced. The forward initially expressed reluctance to continue playing. Eventually, Vinícius was sent off following an altercation with Valencia players and made gestures to home fans regarding their team’s battle against relegation as he left the field.
As the incident reignites the urgent need for action against racism in football, the spotlight remains on the Spanish league and soccer authorities to take concrete steps to address this pervasive issue. The support shown by President Lula, government officials, soccer clubs, and players serves as a powerful message that racism will not be tolerated, and the fight for equality and inclusivity in the sport will continue.
