This Tuesday morning, the Spanish police announced that they had arrested four people involved in a case where Vinicius Jr is the victim. This is not a quick reaction to the racist insults with which the Real Madrid striker was again inundated on Sunday during the defeat to Valencia (0-1). These arrests concern the hanging under a Madrid bridge of a mannequin bearing the image of the Brazilian before a derby against Atlético in the King’s Cup at the end of January.
From Valladolid to Girona via Mallorca and the Spanish capital, the Brazilian has become the constant target of many opposing supporters in La Liga, puking shameful “mono” (“monkey” in French) at the player. But the events of Mestalla perhaps mark, finally, a turning point in this succession of largely unpunished episodes.
Lula reacts to the G7
In a few hours, the unfortunate episode found an echo in Hiroshima in Japan, the venue for the G7 10,000 kilometers from Valencia, from where Lula reacted vigorously. Vinicius “was attacked, he was called a monkey, the Brazilian president protested at a press conference. It is not possible, in the middle of the 21st century, to have such strong racial prejudices in so many football stadiums”.
These new racist insults have seriously strained relations between the country of origin and the host country, since 2018, of the Madrid striker. The latter, who obtained Spanish nationality in September 2022, even hinted that he was ready to seek a less hostile destination, despite a contract running until 2027.
Brazil and the “principle of extraterritoriality”
Above all, the Minister of Justice of Brazil brandished the “principle of extraterritoriality”. “The Penal Code provides that, in exceptional situations, it is possible to apply Brazilian law in the case of crimes against Brazilians, even abroad”, detailed Flavio Dino. It is difficult to see how this “extraterritoriality” could come into force here, but the essential is elsewhere: for Brazil, this umpteenth case of racism against one of its idols has caused the beginning of a diplomatic crisis with Spain.
With messages of support for Vinicius pouring in from stars as influential as Kylian Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo, not to mention the Pelé Foundation on the late King’s Twitter account, the country finds itself in the unflattering spotlight and seems to be beginning to do its introspection.
The press takes a stand
This Tuesday, the front page of brand, a Madrid sports and pro-Real daily which has not always been clear on the subject in the past, displays an editorial on a black background. With a very clear message: “It’s not enough not to be racist, you have to be anti-racist. “Rare thing in a country so divided between capital and Catalonia, Mundo DeportivoBarcelona competitor of brandcame to the support of a Merengue player, also defended with vigor by Xavi, the coach of Barça.
“Basta ya”, in other words “that’s enough”… This title crosses the front page of the newspaper. Its editorial director judges that “the insults against Vinicius hurt the whole of society”. Even if he makes a point of specifying that “the attitude of the player deserves to be applauded for this denunciation [du racisme] and to be criticized for her acts of contempt towards her co-workers and supporters. »
“A minority of excited” for the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Enough to give weight to those who justify the insults addressed to Vinicius – sent off for a nudge on Sunday in stoppage time at Mestalla – by his behavior deemed provocative. And minimize, once again, the racism that permeates the Spanish stands (and many others), in the manner of Javier Tebas. The president of La Liga lent himself to a verbal contest on Twitter with the player, and assured that neither Spain nor his championship were racist, contrary to what the Real striker said.
“Spanish society is a mostly tolerant society”, also judges José Manuel Albares, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, relayed by brand. “These incidents are intolerable and absolutely condemnable not only in the sports space but more broadly in a country like Spain, a land of welcome which makes diversity its standard”, he added about the multiple cases Vinicius. “The insults come from a minority of enthusiasts who confuse passion and hatred and who should no longer set foot on a football pitch. Nor in the stands, for that matter.