After racist attacks: Real Madrid shows solidarity with Vinícius

After racist attacks
Real Madrid express their solidarity with Vinícius

Real Madrid players wear jerseys with the name of their teammate Vinicius Junior. photo

© Manu Fernandez/AP/dpa

In the 2-1 win in the penultimate home game of the season against Rayo Vallecano, the Real pros sent a clear signal against racism.

Although Vinícius Júnior was absent, all Real Madrid team-mates wore his number 20 to support the Brazilian striker. After the racist attacks against the 22-year-old in the previous game at FC Valencia, his colleagues showed solidarity with other strong gestures before the game against Rayo Vallecano (2-1) in the Spanish soccer league.

Players from both teams held a banner reading ‘Keep racists out of football’ before the match as part of a new anti-racism campaign by the league, the Spanish Football Federation and the government. They also wore armbands with anti-racism messages. Slogans against racism were shown during the national and international broadcast of the game.

Scandal in Valencia

Vinícius, who was repeatedly subjected to racial abuse in Sunday’s scandalous game against Valencia, did not play because the club said he had minor knee problems. The red card he received for a scuffle against Valencia was later withdrawn. But Ancelotti had said he wanted to give his attacking star a break after the stressful days, regardless of the suspension. Madrid’s football and basketball players also wore Vinícius’ number 20 shirt in their games on Wednesday.

“I love them!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Vinícius tweeted after the Madrilenians’ 2-1 (1-0). “All the support Vinícius has received is good,” said Ancelotti, who was on the touchline for the 150th time in a league game as Real Madrid coach. Winning goalscorer Rodrygo dedicated the 2-1 win to “my brother” Vinícius.

He in turn celebrated the winning goal in the 89th minute with his right fist raised in order to send a signal against racism from the stands. Before the game, Vinícius came out briefly to greet the fans, while his team-mates lined up with their backs to the stands and showed Vinícius’ shirt.

In the 20th minute, the fans applauded Vinícius’ shirt number and called his name, Vinícius greeted back from the VIP box. Behind one of the gates hung a huge banner reading “We are all Vinícius. Enough.”

dpa

source site-2