Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Racist abuse against Vinicius Jr. prompts officials, fans reactions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 May 2023 14:27
  • 2 Shares
5 Min Read

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior receives a campaign of support after being subjected to racial abuse during his team's match against Valencia.

  • x
  • Brazil's Lula condemns racist abuse of Vinicius
    Real Madrid's Vinícius Junior leaving the pitch after receiving a red card (AP)

Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday condemned the racist abuse of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior after his fellow Brazilian was targeted during a Spanish league match at Valencia.

Speaking at a news conference at the close of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Lula said he wanted to send a message of "solidarity" to the 22-year-old forward.

"He was attacked. He was called a 'monkey,'" Lula said.

He considered that "it's not possible, in the middle of the 21st century, to have such strong racial prejudice in so many football stadiums."

"It's unjust that a poor kid who's done so well in life, who may be on his way to becoming the best in the world -- he's certainly the best at Real Madrid -- gets insulted at every stadium where he plays," the Brazilian President stressed.

Lula called for FIFA and the Spanish league to take "serious measures".

"We can't allow fascism and racism to take hold in football stadiums," he indicated.

Sunday's match, which ended in a 1-0 loss for Real Madrid, was halted for several minutes midway through the second half after Vinicius appeared to be racially abused by a Valencia supporter.

Racist Abuse to Vinicius Jr once again, and another time in La Liga

Effigys, Racist Banners and Chants

Valencia, Mallorca, Atleti, Barca and Valladolid

Mario Balotelli had racism follow him throughout his entire career too, and many others. Tragic man
pic.twitter.com/NJAeVXQmPe

— 𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢🇧🇪 (@OfficialVizeh) May 21, 2023

Chaos then erupted late in the match when Vinicius was sent off for hitting Valencia's Hugo Duro during a clash.

Vinicius, who has been racially abused on multiple occasions in Spain, expressed his frustration on social media after the match.

"It wasn't the first time, nor the second or third. Racism is the norm in La Liga. What used to be the league of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi has become the league of racists," he wrote.

The player said Spain was viewed as "a country of racists" in his homeland.

He pointed out that Spain was "a great country, which welcomed me and that I love, but which has accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for the Spanish people who do not agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists."

"The prize for the racists today is that they have sent me off. It's not football, it's La Liga," Vinicius indicated.

"But I'm strong, and I'll fight the racists to the end. Even if it's far away from here," the Brazilian player affirmed.

Não foi a primeira vez, nem a segunda e nem a terceira. O racismo é o normal na La Liga. A competição acha normal, a Federação também e os adversários incentivam. Lamento muito. O campeonato que já foi de Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano e Messi hoje é dos racistas. Uma nação…

— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 21, 2023

After the final whistle, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said, "I don't want to talk about football, I want to talk about what happened here, it is more important."

"A stadium shouting monkey at a player, and that a coach has to think about taking off the player, there's something bad in this league," Ancelotti told Movistar.

He said Spanish football needed to be prepared to halt matches, making clear that "the Spanish league has a problem, and Vinicius is not the problem. Vinicius is the victim. There's a very serious problem."

Related News

Osasuna fans call for expelling 'Israel' from FIFA, UEFA

Real Madrid take their 36th La Liga title home

*Interviewer wants to ask about the game itself*

Ancelotti: “You want to talk about the game?”

Interviewer: “Well yes—-I want to—-“

*Ancelotti proceeds to use his time to talk about the disgusting racist abuse towards Vinicius Jr.*

Grande, Carlo.pic.twitter.com/mcwVvO9MzA

— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) May 21, 2023

"The fact I thought about taking him off because of the racist atmosphere does not seem good to me," the coach told reporters.

"What has happened today has happened before, but not like that, it's unacceptable."

FIFA reiterated on Monday that stopping matches is permitted as well as players walking off the pitch in their three-step approach when racist abuse takes place.

"Full solidarity to Vinicius," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

"There is no place for racism in football or in society and FIFA stands by all players who have found themselves in such a situation."

"Events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this needs to be the case."

Vinicius has been racially abused at several stadiums this season in Spain and an effigy of him was hung from a bridge by Atletico Madrid fans.

Valencia fans singing "Vinicius you are a monkey" during Real Madrid's arrival to the stadium.pic.twitter.com/D96v05sHjP

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) May 21, 2023

La Liga filed legal complaints to Spanish authorities on multiple occasions this season, with the league pledging on Sunday to do so again after investigating.

However, Ancelotti said it was not helping.

"What has happened? Reports, and nothing at all has come from it. The solution is to stop the game," said the veteran Italian coach.

La Liga said they have been "proactive" in previous cases of racism against Vinicius, filing nine complaints with relevant authorities and prosecutors.

La Liga's President Javier Tebas hit back on Twitter, claiming Vinicius on two occasions did not turn up for a meeting with the governing body to discuss what it "can do in cases of racism."

"Before you criticise and slander La Liga you need to inform yourself properly," he said.

Ya que los que deberían no te explican qué es y qué puede hacer @LaLiga en los casos de racismo, hemos intentado explicártelo nosotros, pero no te has presentado a ninguna de las dos fechas acordadas que tú mismo solicitaste. Antes de criticar e injuriar a @LaLiga, es necesario… https://t.co/pLCIx1b6hS pic.twitter.com/eHvdd3vJcb

— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) May 21, 2023

On Twitter, Brazilian Football Confederation President Ednaldo Rodrigues said, "Vini Jr., you have our love and support, and that of all Brazilians."

Fellow Brazil international Richarlison, retired legend Ronaldo, and music icon Gilberto Gil were among many others who condemned the racist treatment he has received in Spain.

On his part, Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos told Movistar that "there's a lack of respect for Vinicius shown continuously at almost every stadium in Spain." 

"It's a shame we've got to this point," Ceballos expressed.

Valencia striker Justin Kluivert apologized to Vinicius on behalf of his club.

"I apologise from us, all of Valencia, because this is not football. It's very bad," he told Movistar.

  • La Liga
  • Valencia
  • Lula da Silva
  • Lula
  • football
  • Vinicius Junior
  • Racism
  • Real Madrid
  • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS