Vinicius Jr: Brazil and Real Madrid forward breaks down in tears over racist abuse endured in Spain
Last season, LaLiga reported 10 cases of abusive incidents to prosecutors. Among these cases, a 23-year-old player was subjected to racist chanting by Atletico Madrid fans before a Champions League match against Inter Milan. This incident highlights the persistent issue of racism in football, with fans resorting to unacceptable behavior despite efforts to combat such discrimination.
Such incidents not only tarnish the sport's image but also raise concerns about the effectiveness of measures in place to address such behavior.
During a press conference before an international friendly between Brazil and Spain, Vinicius Jr became visibly emotional, shedding tears as he opened up about the persistent racist abuse he faces in Spain. The Real Madrid winger expressed how this ongoing discrimination is diminishing his motivation to continue playing football.
Last Season Experience
Last season, LaLiga reported 10 such incidents to prosecutors. Among these incidents, the 23-year-old footballer was subjected to racist chanting by Atletico Madrid fans before a Champions League match against Inter Milan. Additionally, during a Sevilla game, a fan allegedly made a monkey gesture towards the player, and racial slurs were directed at him during a Valencia match last May.
In a particularly disturbing incident, four individuals were fined €60,001 (£51,400) and handed a two-year stadium ban for hanging an effigy of Vinicius Jr near Real Madrid's training ground in January 2023. These incidents highlight the pervasive nature of racism in football and underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat such behavior and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all players.
Facing widespread criticism in Spain for his stance against racism, Vinicius Jr opened up on Monday about the emotional toll it has inflicted upon him. Overwhelmed with tears and struggling to articulate his feelings, he expressed, "All I want is to play football, but it's becoming increasingly difficult... The racist abuse is making me lose my desire to play."
"I never considered leaving Spain because by doing so, I'd be giving the racists exactly what they desire. I choose to remain here so that the racists can see my face more often. As a confident player representing Real Madrid, our success unsettles many people."
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Earlier this month, Real Madrid lodged a complaint with Spanish legal authorities, accusing fans from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona of directing "racist and hateful insults" towards Vinicius Jr. This action comes after the winger endured racist abuse during the Valencia game last May, which resulted in his dismissal from the match.
However, following this incident, Vinicius Jr received widespread support, leading to the initiation of various local and international campaigns aimed at combating racism in football.
The friendly match between Brazil and Spain on Tuesday will take place at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where the "One Skin" anti-racism campaign will be prominently featured.
