"We will not allow racism to take over football stadiums" - Brazil president condemns the racist chanting aimed at Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr.
Brazil's president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has backed Vinicius Jr. and stressed that they would not allow racism to take over football stadiums. He condemned the racist chanting against the Real Madrid star in Spain.
Valencia fans racially targeted Vinicius on Sunday night during their 1-0 win over Real Madrid. The game was stopped for a few minutes, but the Brazilian was sent off for violent conduct at the very end of the game.
The Brazil president was quoted by AP News saying that he is not happy with the situation Vinicius is in. He said:
"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. We will not allow racism to take over football stadiums."
Valencia have announced that they will ban the fans who racially abused the Real Madrid star if found guilty.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. furious with LaLiga after getting racially abused
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. called out La Liga and claimed that racism has become normal in the league. He believes that they have done nothing to stop it, and added that the rival teams encourage it.
He posted on social media:
"It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it's normal, the [Spanish Football] Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I'm so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi today belongs to racists."
He added:
"A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I'm sorry for the Spaniards who don't agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here."
Vinicius Jr.'s entourage is reportedly pushing for the footballer to leave Real Madrid, but the Brazilian is keen on staying at Santiago Bernabeu.