Vinicius Jr praised
Lamine Yamal for
openly denouncing anti-Muslim chants during Spain’s recent match with Egypt, emphasizing the need for players to unite against discrimination.
Barcelona’s Yamal expressed his dismay over the “intolerable”
Islamophobic chanting that occurred at the RCDE Stadium, visibly shaken by the incident.
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Spain’s football federation (Rfef) quickly condemned the behavior, while local police confirmed they have
initiated an investigation into the matter.
Lamine Yamal addressed the Islamophobic chanting on Instagram (REUTERS)
Real Madrid‘s Vinicius has regularly faced racist abuse in Europe and remains vocal regarding the fight against racism, noting that “it’s always complicated” to address this issue, but “these incidents occur frequently.”
“I hope we can keep fighting,” he affirmed. “It’s essential for Lamine to speak out; it can be a source of encouragement for others.”
“We may be well-known and financially secure, allowing us to deal with these matters more effectively. However, those who are less fortunate, especially Black individuals who face challenges globally, definitely suffer far more. It’s crucial that we unify as players who possess a louder voice.”
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Vinicius was involved in a racism scandal during a Champions League match against Benfica in February, where
he accused Gianluca Prestianni of racist remarks after celebrating a goal in front of home supporters.
Prestianni was seen covering his mouth during a tense moment with Madrid players, leading Vinicius to alert the referee about what he believed was a racist incident.
Benfica denied the claims, but Prestianni subsequently
missed the return leg in Madrid after receiving a temporary suspension from
Uefa.
Vinicius Jr (right) accused Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse (AFP/Getty)
“I’m not asserting that Spain, Germany, or Portugal are racist nations, but there are racists present in these countries, just as in Brazil and elsewhere,” Vinicius remarked.
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“However, if we continue to fight together, I believe that future generations won’t face these issues.”
Vinicius made these comments just before the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals between Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Additional reporting from AP