Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has spoken out about the racism that he and other black players have endured in La Liga, Spain’s top flight soccer division.
After receiving more racist abuse from supporters during a recent match, the 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder called La Liga “the place of the racists” and vowed to continue fighting against discrimination in the sport.
Vinicius’ comments come after he was the target of racist chants and gestures from supporters of Valencia, a rival team in La Liga. Referees stopped the game for about 10 minutes to admonish the supporters to stop the racist behavior.
However, Vinicius and other black players have said that this response is insufficient and that more must be done to punish and prevent racism in professional soccer.
The Brazilian midfielder has since called on La Liga to take a stronger stance against racism, arguing that the league needs to do more to educate supporters and ensure that all players are treated with respect. He also urged his fellow black players to never give up and to keep speaking out against discrimination.
The response to Vinicius’ comments has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans, players, and soccer organizations commending him for his bravery and for speaking out against racism in the sport.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the issue of racism in professional soccer and the importance of continuing to speak out against discrimination in all forms.