By John Adiasi
The game of football has been known to bring joy and unity among people over the globe, but the joy of football has been threatened by racism towards black players in the La Liga Federation. The incidents of racism have been observed for a while and now seen in the open as a fan purposely insulted Vinicius Jnr by making a monkey like shape of himself with the Vinicius jersey.
It has been a bad rhythm to the football world as not only Vinicius seems to be the one facing these threats, but Nigerian star Chukueze also had the same treatment.
Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, was subjected to persistent racist abuse during his team’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium in Spain’s La Liga.
The flashpoint of the game came in the second half, where after a stoppage in play, an animated Vinícius pointed out a fan in the stands for the abuse before engaging with the supporters in the section of the crowd in question.
LaLiga TV broadcasters said there was an announcement in the stadium calling on fans to stop insulting the players or throw objects onto the pitch.
The referee’s official report from the game described the incident,
“Racist insults: in the 73rd minute, a spectator from the southern ‘Mario Kempes’ tribune directed himself towards player No. 20 of Real Madrid CF Mr. Vinicius José De Oliveira Do Nascimiento, screaming at him: ‘Monkey, monkey’ which led to the activation of the racism protocol, notifying the pitch delegate so that a corresponding warning over the loudspeaker would be made. The match was halted until the announcement was aired over the loudspeaker of the stadium,” it reads.
Vinícius Jr. was sent off in the final minutes of the game for his involvement in an altercation with Valencia player Hugo Duro.
