'Total solidarity with Vinicius' - FIFA president supports Real Madrid star after racist abuse
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has issued a statement ofsolidarity with Real Madrid striker Vinicius who suffered racism against Valencia.
In his statement throughInstagram, he said that theworld football governing body supports Vinicius and everyplayer who finds himself in such a situation. "Total solidarity with Vinicius. There is no place for racism in football or in society, and FIFA supports all players who find themselves in such a situation. "What happened during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid shows that this must be the case," he said in the statement.
He also outlined FIFA's three-step process to prevent racism during sports.
"That is why the three-step system exists in FIFA competitions, it is recommended at all levels of football. First, you stop the game, you announce it. Second,the players leave the field and the announcer announces that if the attack continues, the game will be suspended. The game starts again, then, the third time, if the attack continues, the game will endand three points will go to the enemy. These are the rules that should be applied in all countries and all competitions. "Obviously that's easier said than done, but we're going to do it and we're going to support it in education."
Vinicius was racially abusiveand was sent off after his reaction led to a clash between Real Madrid and Valencia players in their 1-0 win on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
After the match, Vinicius took to social media to express his anger towards Spanish footballfor turning a blind eye to thesimilar abuse he sufferedthroughout the season. "It's notthe first, or the second, or the third. Racism is normal in La Liga," he wrote in a post on Twitter. "The competition is considered normal, so [the Spanish Football Federation]and the opponents support it.
\"I'm really sorry. The rivalry between Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi was once that of racists.
"A beautiful country, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. "I am sorry for the Spaniards who do not believe,but today in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racism. But unfortunately, for everything that happens everyweek, I am not safe. I agree. But I can and will go all the wayagainst racists. Even this place is far away."
Meanwhile, La Liga, in an immediate statement, said itwould take "legal action" if hate crimes were detected.
They also asked people to send more footage of the incident to help them investigate.
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