Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has called on Spain to address racism in its football stadiums or face the loss of its 2030 World Cup hosting rights. The 24-year-old Brazilian star, a frequent target of racial abuse in La Liga, made the statement during an interview on CNN, urging Spanish authorities to do more to combat racism.
“Until 2030, there is a lot of room for improvement. I hope Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult someone because of the color of their skin,” Vinicius said. His remarks follow a series of racist incidents in La Liga, where opposition fans have directed abuse toward him during matches.
Progress or Consequences: Vinicius on Spain’s 2030 World Cup Bid
Vinicius Junior’s comments have sparked widespread reactions in Spain, which will host the 2030 World Cup alongside Morocco, with additional matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
His remarks have stirred debate, with some praising him for highlighting a serious issue, while others, including Spanish players and officials, argue that racism is not as prevalent as he claims.
Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal defended Spain, stating, “Spain is in no way a racist country.
La Liga is improving, and protocols are being drawn up to prevent racist fans from attending games.” Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente echoed this, saying, “Spain is an example of coexistence and integration.”
However, Vinicius insists that unless significant progress is made, it would be unfair to expect players to compete in an environment where racism persists. His stance highlights the ongoing challenge of eradicating racism from the sport.
Legal Actions and Responses
Spain has taken steps to address the issue, with several individuals facing legal consequences for racist abuse.
In June, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing Vinicius, marking the first such convictions in Spain.
In July, another person received a suspended sentence for online abuse targeting Vinicius and his teammate Antonio Rudiger.
While these actions are steps in the right direction, Vinicius believes more needs to be done before Spain can truly claim to have overcome the issue of racism in football.
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