Vinícius Jr. and Real Madrid Teammates Ready to Walk Off the Pitch in Response to Racist Abuse
Vinícius Jr., the Brazilian star of Real Madrid, has become a powerful voice against racism in football, sharing his painful experiences and determination to fight against discrimination. The emotional toll of the constant racist abuse he faces is evident, as seen in an interview where he broke down in tears. The abuse has been so intense that it has made him question his passion for the game.
Earlier this year, Vinícius opened up about the racist incidents he has endured while playing in Spain. These include a disturbing incident where an effigy of him was hanged from a bridge before a match against Atlético Madrid in January 2023, as well as repeated racial abuse during a game against Valencia later that year. Such incidents are not isolated; racist slurs have been captured on camera during matches against Osasuna, Mallorca, Real Valladolid, and Barcelona.
Reflecting on these experiences, Vinícius explained to CNN that speaking out about racism was challenging but necessary. He feels a deep responsibility to use his platform to defend Black people who face similar discrimination worldwide. His courage to speak out has brought attention to the issue and inspired others to join the fight.
Vinícius has noticed a shift in Spain, where the fear of being caught on camera has made some racists think twice before acting. He acknowledges that while racism cannot be entirely eradicated, progress is being made, and he takes pride in contributing to this change.
A significant moment in this battle came in June when a Valencia court sentenced three men to eight months in prison for making racist remarks and gestures toward Vinícius during a La Liga match. This landmark ruling, the first of its kind in Spain, also imposed two-year stadium bans on the offenders. Vinícius sees this as a historic victory, emphasizing that such consequences will discourage future acts of racism.
In 2019, UEFA introduced a three-step protocol to address racism during matches, including pausing the game, temporarily stopping it, and ultimately abandoning the match if racist behavior persists. However, Vinícius believes more direct action is needed. He and his Real Madrid teammates have discussed walking off the pitch if faced with racism again, a move they are prepared to take this season.
Vinícius reflects on the incident at Valencia, where the team considered leaving the field but decided against it in the heat of the moment. He now believes that walking off is the right response, as it would send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. By taking a stand, Vinícius hopes to accelerate the change needed to eradicate racism from the sport.
