FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a strongly worded statement condemning the racist abuse suffered by Real Madrid's Brazilian star Vinicius Junior during a La Liga match. Infantino expressed his full solidarity with the player, emphasizing the need for decisive action to combat this phenomenon, which tarnishes the reputation of world football.
In a statement posted on his official Instagram account, Infantino said: “I stand in full solidarity with Vinicius. There is no place for racism in football or in society, and FIFA stands with all players who find themselves in such a situation.” He added: “I was shocked and saddened to see the alleged racist incident against Vinicius Junior. There is absolutely no place for racism in our sport and our society, and we need all relevant parties to take action and hold those responsible to account.”.
A recurring pattern of abuse
This incident was not the first of its kind that Vinicius Junior has experienced in Spanish stadiums; rather, it was the culmination of a series of racist verbal abuses targeting him in various stadiums over the past few seasons. This incident, which received widespread international media coverage, has once again highlighted the issue of racism deeply rooted in some sporting circles and sparked a broader debate about the effectiveness of the protocols in place to combat it in major European leagues.
The international significance and impact of the incident
The repercussions of the incident extended beyond Spain's borders, becoming an international public issue. It sparked a wave of solidarity with the player from current and former football stars, as well as public figures and international organizations. The Brazilian government issued an official statement condemning the treatment of its citizen, placing diplomatic and political pressure on Spanish authorities to take decisive action. On the sporting front, the incident prompted the Spanish Football Federation and La Liga to reassess their procedures, resulting in sanctions against the club whose fans made the chants and the arrest of several involved supporters.
In his statement, Infantino praised the referee's action in activating FIFA's anti-racism protocol, which includes three steps: stopping the match, suspending it, and ultimately abandoning it if the abuse continues. The FIFA president concluded his statement by reaffirming his organization's commitment to protecting players and ensuring a discrimination-free sporting environment, emphasizing: “At FIFA, through our Global Stand Against Racism and the Players' Voice Committee, we are committed to ensuring that players, officials, and fans are respected and protected, and that appropriate action is taken when incidents occur. I will always continue to emphasize: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”.
