The Brazilian president along with various players are showing their support for Vinicius Jr following an incident involving the player yesterday.
Vinicius Jr has suffered yet another racist incident yesterday. The player has been the victim of racist chants and insults ever since he joined Real Madrid. In yesterday’s incident, the player traveled with the team to Valencia. In a very heated game, Madrid lost 1-0 to Valencia.
The game had to be momentarily halted for ten minutes when Vinicius pointed to a Valencia supporter in the stands. He claimed to be racially abused by the supporter, with much confusion ongoing.
The Valencia fans were also seen shouting racist insults and chants all throughout the game aimed at Vinicius Jr, all based on his black skin color. They called him ‘mono’, which means monkey in Spanish.
Below a video shows clearly the racist abuses suffered by the player.
The player was later sent off for an altercation with Valencia players. He pointed to the Valencia fans and gestured to them that they will be relegated, even though they are safe from it.
Vini Jr. condemns La Liga
After the game, Vinicius decided to condemn the authorities for their lack of action. In a social media post, he wrote,
“It wasn’t the first time or the second or the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, as does the federation, and the opponents encourage it.”
Manager Carlo Ancelotti also revealed he considered substituting the player after he didn’t want to play anymore.
He said, “What happened today shouldn’t happen. When a stadium yells ‘monkey’ to a player, and the coach considers taking him out of the field because of that, it means that there is something bad in this league.”
Brazilian president defends Vinicius Jr
Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also decided to show solidarity with one of the country’s best talents. In a news conference in Japan during the recent G7 meeting, he started his speech by addressing the racist incident.
“I want to begin this interview with a gesture of solidarity with a Brazilian soccer player – young, black, who plays for Real Madrid, who yesterday, in a game in the Valencia stadium, was harshly attacked, being called a monkey.”
“It is not fair that a poor boy who is winning in his life, becoming one of the best in the world, certainly the best at Real Madrid, is insulted in every stadium he goes to.”
President Lula condemns racist attacks targeting Brazilian footballer @vinijr pic.twitter.com/di4FZ8Lsby
— Kawsachun News (@KawsachunNews) May 22, 2023
He then spoke of his hope to see football’s governing bodies ‘take measures’.
“It’s important that FIFA, the Spanish league, and leagues in other countries take the necessary measures because we cannot allow fascism and racism to take root inside a soccer stadium.”
Other players also decided to show support to the player. Paris Saint Germain stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr. posted Instagram stories to show their support as well.
Brazilian teammates Richarlison and Casemiro also wrote words of profound support and condemnation of the league. Athletic Bilbao player Inaki Williams also spoke in support.
The club has already reported the incident to the authorities. It remains to be seen what further development occurs. As for now, Vinicius keeps
