Fifa president backs Vinicius Jnr after racist taunts
Gianni Infantino expresses support for Real Madrid forward who received racial slurs from Valencia fans
22 May 2023 - 17:27
byManasi Pathak
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Fifa President Gianni Infantino. File photo: DENIS BALIBOUSE/REUTERS
Bengaluru — Football governing body Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino expressed his support for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr after he called LaLiga and Spain “racist” after receiving racial slurs from fans in Sunday's game at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium.
Vinicius Jnr pointed out the fans who were insulting him, leading to the match being paused for 10 minutes, and then got into an altercation with Valencia’s players which led to him being sent off in the second half. Real lost the game 1-0.
The Brazil international later took to Twitter to express his frustration, saying “racism is normal in LaLiga” and describing Spain as a “racist country”.
“Full solidarity to Vinicius. 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,” Infantino said in a statement.
“Events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this needs to be the case. That is why the three-step process exists in Fifa competitions and it is recommended at all levels of football.
“Firstly, you stop the match, you announce it. Secondly, the players leave the pitch and the speaker announces that if the attacks continue, the match will be suspended. The match restarts, and then, thirdly, if the attacks continue, the match will stop and the three points will go to the opponent.”
Infantino said that steps to stop racism need to be supported through education.
There was a wave of support for Vincius Jnr after the incident, including from Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
LaLiga has previously complained about racist chanting or insults against Vinicius Jnr, the latest of which was a claim before a court in Mallorca after fans were filmed racially abusing the forward.
Spanish police are also investigating a possible hate crime against Vinicius Jnr after a mannequin wearing his No 20 shirt was hung from a bridge outside Real Madrid’s training ground in January.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Fifa president backs Vinicius Jnr after racist taunts
Gianni Infantino expresses support for Real Madrid forward who received racial slurs from Valencia fans
Bengaluru — Football governing body Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino expressed his support for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr after he called LaLiga and Spain “racist” after receiving racial slurs from fans in Sunday's game at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium.
Vinicius Jnr pointed out the fans who were insulting him, leading to the match being paused for 10 minutes, and then got into an altercation with Valencia’s players which led to him being sent off in the second half. Real lost the game 1-0.
The Brazil international later took to Twitter to express his frustration, saying “racism is normal in LaLiga” and describing Spain as a “racist country”.
“Full solidarity to Vinicius. 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,” Infantino said in a statement.
“Events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this needs to be the case. That is why the three-step process exists in Fifa competitions and it is recommended at all levels of football.
“Firstly, you stop the match, you announce it. Secondly, the players leave the pitch and the speaker announces that if the attacks continue, the match will be suspended. The match restarts, and then, thirdly, if the attacks continue, the match will stop and the three points will go to the opponent.”
Infantino said that steps to stop racism need to be supported through education.
There was a wave of support for Vincius Jnr after the incident, including from Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
LaLiga has previously complained about racist chanting or insults against Vinicius Jnr, the latest of which was a claim before a court in Mallorca after fans were filmed racially abusing the forward.
Spanish police are also investigating a possible hate crime against Vinicius Jnr after a mannequin wearing his No 20 shirt was hung from a bridge outside Real Madrid’s training ground in January.
Reuters
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