Brazilian Footballers & ‘Slant-Eye’ Gesture: Racism or Ignorance?
Growing scrutiny is being directed towards instances of racist gestures within football, with renewed attention focused on a incident involving Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazário. The controversy resurfaced recently, prompting questions about the prevalence of such behaviour and the response from football governing bodies.
An old photograph circulating on social media platform X depicts Ronaldo making a gesture interpreted as a racist caricature of Asian facial features towards South Korean volunteers at the airport upon the Brazilian team’s arrival for the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. The gesture, often referred to as a “slant-eye” gesture, involves pulling the corners of the eyes back, and is widely considered deeply offensive.
The gesture is described as an exaggerated, historical caricature of Asian facial features used for mocking and denigrating people of Asian descent. Robert G Lee, an associate professor of American studies, explained in his book Oriental: Asian Americans in Popular Culture that such depictions “mark the Asian body as unmistakably Oriental; it sharply defines the Oriental in a racial opposition to whiteness,” and “exaggerates ‘racial’ features that have been designated ‘Oriental,’ such as ‘slanted’ eyes, overbite, and mustard-yellow skin colour.”
This incident is not isolated. Uruguay and Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde also made a similar “slant-eye” gesture in South Korea during the U-20 World Cup, with images resurfacing during the World Cup after South Korea eliminated Uruguay on goal difference. This pattern raises concerns about a potential lack of awareness or sensitivity among some footballers.
The renewed focus on Ronaldo’s gesture comes at a time of increased pressure on South American football authorities to address racism. Brazilian footballers and fans have reportedly been subjected to monkey chants during away games in recent years. Ironically, Ronaldo Nazário now leads an Anti-Racism Special Task Force team, a development that has drawn further attention to the resurfaced photograph and prompted questions about his current role in light of his past actions.
The incident highlights a broader issue of casual racism and the persistence of harmful stereotypes. A recent discussion on Reddit’s r/Brazil forum questioned whether Brazilian footballers are genuinely unaware of the racist implications of the gesture, or if it represents a more deliberate act of prejudice. Comments on the forum referenced a history of similar gestures appearing in Brazilian television advertisements and shows, suggesting a normalization of such behaviour.
Beyond football, similar gestures have drawn condemnation in other contexts. A chef was recently suspended for making a racist eye gesture towards Koreans, as reported by The Korea Times. This incident underscores the widespread nature of the problem and the growing intolerance for such behaviour.
The issue extends beyond specific gestures. Vinicius Jr., a Brazilian footballer playing for Real Madrid, has been the target of racial abuse, including being called a “monkey” while playing football in Morocco. While some argue that such incidents represent ignorance rather than malice, the repeated nature of the abuse highlights the need for sustained efforts to combat racism in sport and society.
The resurgence of these incidents is prompting a re-evaluation of how racism is addressed within football. The South American governing body is facing increasing calls to take stronger action against racist behaviour, both on and off the pitch. The appointment of Ronaldo Nazário to lead an anti-racism task force, while seemingly positive, is now viewed by some with skepticism, given his own past actions. The effectiveness of such initiatives will depend on a genuine commitment to addressing the root causes of racism and promoting cultural sensitivity.
The incidents involving Ronaldo, Valverde, and others serve as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges in combating racism in global sport. The gestures, while seemingly small, carry a significant weight of historical prejudice and contribute to a climate of discrimination. The ongoing debate underscores the need for continued education, awareness campaigns, and robust disciplinary measures to ensure that football remains a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.