Week after week, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior continues to be the victim of racism in La Liga stadiums, with fans of other clubs constantly hurling racist insults and behaving in completely unacceptable ways.
These are acts punishable by criminal sanctions and can also be sanctioned at league level by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation. In fact, there was a case in 2023 in which Atletico Madrid fans were sanctioned for the matter against Vinicius Junior. People are held responsible for hateful racist behaviour, including mocking the image of the Real Madrid star.
Vinicius Junior shone again in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Sociedad last weekend, scoring a penalty and silencing the fans during the celebrations, which became a bigger talking point in the Spanish media and that is why they reacted.
The response was an attempt to silence Anoeta’s racist taunts. The response from journalists and fans outside Real Madrid has been very muted, with only a handful of them appearing to speak out in support of Vinicius Junior, while the governing body, media and fans continue to subtly normalise this racism. Fortunately, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is at least one of those who have publicly supported Vinicius Junior. :
“What has happened to Vinicius over the years… is unbearable. I don’t know how I should face it. I can’t. It’s unacceptable. I think they do it because they see how serious it is. .
Unfortunately, Carlo was right about the fact that Vinicius Junior was targeted because he was an unstoppable Ballon d’Or player, annoying rival fans, but unfortunately the other side is the sad truth: there are a lot of racist people out there, there are a lot of racists who know they can get away with it.
The fact that Vinicius Junior has shone despite the adversity and lack of protection he has been forced to face has been incredible, and even more incredible is the courage with which he has continued to fight to prevent other black players from having to go through this.
But I shouldn’t have to do that. And of course, he shouldn’t have to continue fighting alone.
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