This Tuesday, the governments of Brazil and Spain issued a joint note to condemn the racist attacks against striker Vinícius Júnior, from Real Madrid, in the last Sunday. In the communiqué, more urgency is also demanded in the actions of the institutions.
The Ministries of Racial Equality of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Kingdom of Spain started condemning episodes like this one that happened in the defeat of Real Madrid to Valencia. Afterwards, he continued to show solidarity with Vini Jr. and closed the statement calling for “protection and reparation for the victims of these crimes”.
“We declare unconditional solidarity with Vini Jr., the player attacked, as well as with all athletes, professional or not, who experience racist violence in sport on a daily basis. Sport should be a reflection of the values of equality, respect and diversity that guide our societies and there is no place in it for those who propagate messages of hate, racism, persecution and intolerance”, declares the note.
“It insists on the obligation of all competent institutions to respond with the greatest diligence to act against this and all cases that occur in the sports field and that cannot go unpunished, guaranteeing the monitoring, protection and reparation of the victims of these crimes”, he continued.
Vinícius Júnior was the victim of racist insults last Sunday, in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat by Valencia, for the 35th round of the Spanish Championship. At 25 minutes of the final stage, fans present at the Mestalla chanted racist chants directed at the striker. The player identified one of the fans who offended him and had to be held by his teammates.
In addition, Vini Jr. It was expelled. The attacker got involved in a mess with players from the rival team. He received a red card for hitting Hugo Duro with his arm. The reaction came after the Brazilian was held by the neck by the same player during the discussion.
After the end of the confrontation, La Liga promised that it will investigate what happened and, for that, requested “all available images to investigate what happened”.
This Tuesday, the Spanish police announced that three young people suspected of uttering racist insults against Vinícius Júnior were arrested in Valencia. Just this morning, four other people were also arrested as part of the investigation into the doll with the Brazilian striker’s uniform hanging from a bridge at the end of January.
See the reaction of Brazilian football to the racism suffered by Vini Jr.
Check out the note issued by the governments of Brazil and Spain in full:
Due to a racist attack recently committed within the framework of the Spanish Football League against a player of Brazilian origin, the Ministry of Racial Equality of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Ministry of Equality of the Kingdom of Spain declare, through this joint communication:
Firstly, its most forceful and absolute condemnation of racism in sport and the violence it generates, which constitutes a serious violation of human rights and perpetuates inequality and discrimination in all areas of society. Racist, sexist and fascist attitudes on and off the football field are intolerable in a democracy.
Secondly, we declare unconditional solidarity with Vini Jr., the player attacked, as well as with all athletes, professional or not, who experience racist violence in sport on a daily basis. Sport should be a reflection of the values of equality, respect and diversity that guide our societies and there is no place in it for those who propagate messages of hate, racism, persecution and intolerance.
Thirdly, it insists on the obligation of all competent institutions to respond with the greatest diligence to act against this and all cases that occur in the sports field and that cannot go unpunished, guaranteeing the monitoring, protection and reparation of the victims of these crimes.
The signatory States of this communication value the recent signature shared between the two governments of a Memorandum of Understanding for the promotion of racial equality and the fight against racism, racial discrimination and other related forms of intolerance. The said memorandum encourages cooperation and progress in the area of equality, to share knowledge and good practices and expand access for Africans, Afro-descendants, blacks, Roma and migrants, among other populations and ethnic groups that suffer racial discrimination more frequently, to public policies that promote equity, dignity and well-being of these populations.
The Ministry of Equality of Spain, within the scope of the said Memorandum of Understanding, undertakes to promote it in the exercise of the powers that correspond to it for the proposal, promotion and development of the transversal application of the principle of equal treatment and the elimination of all type of discrimination against people on grounds of racial or ethnic origin. It is worth remembering that, within the scope of the referred agreement, it is established as a priority, precisely, that the States pay special attention to the fight against racism in sports activities.
Said agreement is based on the fact that racism is structural in our societies and that events like the one that occurred in Valencia are not isolated events, but are deeply rooted in society. To advance in its eradication, States must first recognize and protect the rights of those who suffer it, in order to implement effective public policies that emphatically confront racism and racial discrimination, reduce levels of vulnerability and violence, and protect traditional peoples and migrant communities. Likewise, and in order to inform all possible victims of racism in sport, as well as in any other field, Spain informs of the existence of the Assistance and Guidance Service for Victims of Racial or Ethnic Discrimination of the Council for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination or Ethnic Discrimination (CEDRE), dependent on the Ministry of Equality, which offers legal assistance and advice to victims of discrimination based on race or ethnic origin through telephone assistance (021) and face-to-face in 23 offices throughout the state.
In the Spanish case, the future Law on Racism is configured as the horizon to articulate and materialize this agenda in an integral way. In the Brazilian case, the Ministries of Racial Equality, Sport and Justice are working together to develop a national program to combat racism in sport, reinforcing the commitment of the Brazilian government as a whole.
The signatory States, through this Joint Communication, insist on this shared anti-racist and feminist commitment and on the importance of carrying out concrete and effective actions to promote equality and the fight against racism as essential pillars for the development of both countries.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
