President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday condemned the racist abuse of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior after his compatriot was targeted during a Spanish league game in Valencia. At a press conference at the end of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Lula said he wanted to send a message of “solidarity” to the 22-year-old attacker. “He was attacked. He was called a ‘monkey,'” Lula said.
“It is not possible in the mid-21st century to have such strong racial prejudice in so many football stadiums.
“It is unfair that a poor boy who has done so well in life, who is perhaps on his way to becoming the best in the world – he is certainly the best at Real Madrid – is insulted in every stadium where he plays.”
Sunday’s match, which ended in a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid, was halted for several minutes midway through the second half after Vinicius appeared to be racially insulted by a Valencia supporter.
Chaos broke out late in the game when Vinicius was sent off for hitting Valencia’s Hugo Duro during a brawl.
Vinicius, who has been racially abused several times in Spain, lashed out on social media after the game.
“It was not the first time, nor the second or third. Racism is the norm in La Liga. What used to be the league of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi has become the league of racists,” he wrote.
“But I am strong and I will fight the racists to the end. Even if it is far from here.”
Lula called on FIFA and the Spanish league to take “serious measures”.
“We cannot allow fascism and racism to gain a foothold in football stadiums,” he said.
There was an outpouring of support for Vinicius on social media.
Fellow Brazil international Richarlison, retired legend Ronaldo and music icon Gilberto Gil were among those who condemned the racist treatment he suffered in Spain.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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