Lisbon, Portugal – The latest incident involving Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr., a stoppage of play during a Champions League match against Benfica due to alleged racist abuse, marks a grim milestone: the 20th reported instance of alleged abuse directed at the player during his eight years with the Spanish club. The incident, occurring on , underscores a deeply entrenched problem within Spanish football and beyond, one that Vinicius has increasingly positioned himself to confront head-on.
The match at the Estadio da Luz was halted for ten minutes as Vinicius reported the alleged abuse, attributed to Benfica’s Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni has denied the allegation, but the incident has reignited the debate surrounding racism in football and the effectiveness of current measures to combat it. The response from teammates, particularly Kylian Mbappe, who reportedly heard the racist term used five times, highlights the pervasive nature of the issue.
What we have is not an isolated event. A chronology of incidents reveals a pattern of abuse that began early in Vinicius’s career with Real Madrid. In , during a Clasico at Camp Nou, a fan shouted racist abuse as Vinicius was being substituted, but the perpetrator was never identified, and the case was closed. Further incidents followed, including in , when Mallorca fans made monkey noises and told him to “go pick bananas.” Authorities deemed the incident “despicable” but took no action.
The issue extends beyond the stadium. In , Atletico Madrid fans engaged in racist chants outside the stadium, again without facing charges. Perhaps one of the most disturbing incidents occurred in , when a doll dressed in Vinicius’s jersey was hung from a bridge. While four members of the Atletico supporters’ group Frente Atletico were initially sentenced to prison terms, those sentences were later commuted to fines and restraining orders.
A turning point, according to reports, came in at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. After being subjected to racial abuse, Vinicius confronted the stands, leading to a confrontation and, a red card after an altercation with Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Hugo Duro. This incident sparked widespread outrage and a surge of support for the player. Subsequently, three fans were sentenced to eight months in prison and a two-year stadium ban for their part in the abuse – a landmark ruling, being the first of its kind in Spain.
Vinicius’s response to the ongoing abuse has evolved. Upon his return to Mestalla in , he was met with boos, but responded by scoring two goals, celebrating with a raised fist – a defiant gesture against his tormentors. Even when not present at a match, Vinicius has been targeted. Racist chants were directed at him before a Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Inter in , prompting Real Madrid to report the incident to the hate crimes prosecutor’s office. Five days later, shouts of “Vinicius die” were heard at Osasuna’s ground.
The incidents continued into , with four individuals arrested for inciting a hate campaign on social media targeting Vinicius during the Madrid derby against Atletico. More recently, during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad, referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez paused the match due to chants directed at another player, but cameras also captured a fan making monkey gestures towards Vinicius. The club responded with announcements over the PA system condemning xenophobic chants.
The response from authorities and footballing bodies has been criticized as insufficient. While La Liga has made efforts to pursue legal action against perpetrators, it lacks the direct legal power to impose punishments, a situation the league is attempting to change. The Spanish criminal code classifies racist abuse as a hate crime, carrying potential prison sentences of up to four years and fines, but enforcement has been inconsistent.
Vinicius himself has become a vocal advocate against racism, stating in , after the sentencing of the Valencia fans, “Many people asked me to ignore it, others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just ‘play football’. But, as I’ve always said, I’m not a victim of racism. I am an executioner of racists.” He emphasized that the conviction wasn’t for him personally, but for all Black people.
The incident in Lisbon is a stark reminder that the fight against racism in football is far from over. Vinicius Jr. Has become a symbol of resistance, but the continued prevalence of abuse raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the commitment of footballing authorities to address this deeply rooted problem. His willingness to confront the issue, despite the personal toll, is a testament to his courage and a call to action for the sport as a whole.
