Ian Wright SLAMS footballing authorities for ‘not being serious about racism’
Ian Wright DECLARES football authorities for ‘not taking racism seriously’ and urges players to ‘walk away and influence the money’, after Vinicius Jr. was racially abused during Real Madrid’s clash with Valencia
- Vinicius Jr. fell victim to racist abuse as Real Madrid lost 1-0 in Valencia
- Ian Wright felt that football authorities do not take racism ‘seriously’
- The expert added that it was time for players to ‘walk away and influence the money’
Ian Wright has sued football authorities for ‘not taking racism seriously’ and urged players to ‘walk away’ after Vinicius Junior was again racially insulted.
The Real Madrid winger was the subject of an alleged racist attack during Real’s 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Valencia on Sunday.
Valencia says police have identified a fan who made racist gestures towards Vincius and that person faces a lifetime stadium ban from the Mestalla after Real filed race crime charges.
The match was paused after the break when Vinicius pointed out to the referee those who allegedly abused him in the stands – and he later took to social media to say that LaLiga belongs to ‘racists’ and ‘in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists’.
Wright sympathized with the 22-year-old, who is considering leaving Real after the incident, as he is said on his podcast: “It’s a horrible feeling to see him helpless because that’s what happened to anyone who’s been racially abused.
Vinicius Junior was again the victim of racist abuse during the game between Real Madrid and Valencia
Ian Wright claimed football authorities ‘don’t take racism seriously’ and urged players to ‘walk out and put the money in’
“You literally can’t do anything. Your teammates will try to comfort you, but they can’t feel the pain inside, to the point where he cries.
“There are no more slogans, no more campaigns. If you look at one that needs to be done, we’ve seen the pitiful punishments handed out to federations, clubs, meager amounts of money.”
On what needs to be done about racism in football, the former Arsenal striker added: “I think now is the time for [players to say] “I’m not playing,” and walk away.
“The only thing they worry about is the money. When they run away and don’t play, they start to worry.’
“People say ‘oh you can’t run away because [the racists are] win,” but they are winning.
“Football doesn’t stop being racist, they will always be racist. But if you start deducting points, taking countries out of tournaments, they will stop.
How far are the authorities willing to go to say we mean racism? Because they’re not serious.’
The racism suffered by Vinicius has been condemned by some of LaLiga’s most prominent figures, while others have attempted to play down the nature of Vinicius’ complaints.
Wright empathized with the feeling of “helplessness” experienced by Vinicius
League president Javier Tebas insisted Spanish football has no problem with racism and labeled Vinicius’ criticism as “unfair”.
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Xavi issued a statement of support for the Brazilian flair player, accusing football of being “the only profession in which insults are accepted.”
Vinicius was also comforted by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Perez met with the player on Monday where he explained how the club will defend him, while Carlo Ancelotti downplayed rumors that his star winger could leave.