Real Madrid star Vinicius Jnr is the latest in a long line of elite superstars being subjected to racist abuse while playing and Romelu Lukaku feels
Romelu Lukaku thinks football's biggest stars can stand up against racism on their own, with so many still left unprotected by the authorities.
Inter Milan's Belgian striker said:
"I think it will start. But it really takes one player with an older player to lead the way.
Lukaku was sent off in April for reacting to racists during a Cup match against Juventus. Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jnr, who had publicly supported him at the time, was abused for the tenth time in two seasons last month.
It has sparked outrage and public displays of solidarity from stars such as Lukaku and Rafa Leao in Italy, Kylian Mbappe in France, Raphinha in Spain and Casemiro in England. Brazilian icon Ronaldo and Ivorian Chelsea legend Didier Drogba also spoke.
When asked which older player could lead, Lukaku pointed to Dutch superstar Clarence Seedorf, who last month called for points to be deducted and attacked FIFA and UEFA for promising support but doing nothing else.
Lukaku added:
“I would say Clarence Seedorf is a perfect example.
“I think he wanted to start something like that. So I think the players of our generation really need to make an effort to talk together with UEFA and FIFA and all the other federations in every league to come together to discuss how we are going to be. can defend problems of this kind, because in recent years there have been too many of these. “At one point it wasn't really seen or heard, but now, thanks to cameras all over the stadium and on social media, us players, we see everything, we I hear everything.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jnr was subjected to racist abuse against Valencia last month
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jnr was subjected to racist abuse against Valencia last month
"So sometimes during the game I can watch a game at home and hear what the fans are saying. And how if I can hear it at home but the referee can't hear it? see that on the field?
Several players are said to have discussed how to use their commercial influence to effect change. Lukaku points to the lack of diversity in decision-making positions, in stark contrast to the situation in Belgium, where the country's federation takes the initiative.
"I think you need to be more diverse in positions of power, at the top," he said. “That's where you have to start, that's where you have to have diversity. People of color, put them at the top of every conference room. And this is where the change will begin.
"That's why, in our Belgian league for example, that's where they started, they try to bring in people of color, different genders and things like that.
“So any situation that may arise, be it racism or any other form or type of discrimination, can be addressed immediately. If you put people of different skin color in positions of power, I think things will be resolved much faster than they are now.
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