The Spanish press has finally covered the racist abuse of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. convicted after it emerged that the Brazilian had been targeted ten times.
After the front pages of Monday’s newspapers barely mentioned Sunday night’s incident in Valencia, in which Vinicius pointed from the stands at a supporter who racially insulted him, there was more prominent coverage on Tuesday.
Marca created an impressive front page with an editorial in white text on a black background below the message: “It’s not enough not to be racist, you have to be anti-racist.”
In the column, the newspaper said ‘this issue has now transcended the football scene…and tarnishes Spain’s international image’.
They wrote: ‘We are not a racist country, but that is not enough; we must be an anti-racist country. We must show that we are disgusted by this kind of situation and demand decisive responses to eradicate these despicable outbreaks once and for all.”
Vinicius Jr. was racially insulted by a fan during Real Madrid’s defeat to Valencia on Sunday
Marca produced a forceful front page for Tuesday’s edition, saying ‘it’s not enough not to be racist, you have to be anti-racist’ over an editorial condemning Vinicius’ abuse
AS said ‘the world is with Vinicius’ as they envisioned his meeting with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in the aftermath of Sunday’s incident in Valencia
Marca said the life bans handed out to the two fans who assaulted Vinicius in Mestalla are “the minimum punishment required.”
The piece concluded: ‘Spain must become a model of an anti-racist country. The allegations and the international discredit must be settled.
“Hate crimes have no place in football, sport or society. And it is everyone’s job to achieve this goal.’
It came as 22-year-old Vinicius released a scathing statement saying the racist abuse he suffered while playing in Spain is ‘inhumane’.
The winger has been the target of racism and hate speech on 10 occasions and has received death threats from fans of rivals in some away games this season.
Despite Real filing a lawsuit for a “hate crime” following Sunday’s incident, Vinicius is reportedly reconsidering whether to continue playing football in the country.
His hometown of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil turned off the lights of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in solidarity with the player.
The front cover of AS also introduced the story, with an image of the meeting between the player and Real president Florentino Perez.
It comes after the Brazilian was the subject of racial discrimination several times this season
The Real Madrid winger, blatantly racially insulted this weekend before and during a match against Valencia, posted a statement calling those who threatened to kill him “inhumane”
His hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, turned off the lights of the Christ the Redeemer statue in solidarity
“The world is with Vinicius” headlined Tuesday morning, as they listed some of the prominent figures, both in football and beyond, who condemned racism.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said at the G7 meeting in Japan that he hopes FIFA, the Spanish league and other football authorities take “measures so that we don’t allow racism and fascism to get the better of us” in sport.
He added: “It’s not fair that a poor lad who wins in his life and becomes one of the best in the world, especially the best at Real Madrid, is insulted in every stadium he goes to.”
Vinicius posted a photo of the statue bathed in darkness with the statement: ‘Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. An act of solidarity that moves me. But above all I want to inspire and bring more light to our struggle.
“I really appreciate all the affection and support I’ve received over the past few months. Both in Brazil and around the world. I know exactly who is who. Count on me because the good guys are in the majority and I’m not giving up.
Vinicius reenacts the racist gesture he saw at him from the stands on Sunday
“I have a purpose in life and if I have to suffer more and more so that future generations don’t go through similar situations, I’m ready and prepared.”
De Vinicius wrote online alongside a video showing all the separate incidents of abuse imposed on him: “Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season.
‘Death wishes, hanged doll, lots of criminal cries… All registered. But the speech always falls on “isolated cases”, “a fan”. No, these are not isolated cases. They are continuous episodes spread over different cities in Spain (and even in a television program).
The proof is in the video. Now I ask: how many of these racists had names and pictures posted on websites? I answer to make it easier: zero,’ he added.
“Nobody to tell a sad story or make those phony public apologies.” What is missing to criminalize these people? And sportingly punish clubs? Why don’t sponsors charge La Liga? Don’t televisions bother broadcasting this barbarism every weekend?
“The problem is very serious and communication has stopped working. Nor accuse me of justifying criminal acts. You’re not football, you’re inhuman.’