The Ministries of Racial Equality of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Kingdom of Spain issued a statement saying that racist attacks “cannot go unpunished” and require “concrete and effective action.”
In a joint statement released days after Real Madrid’s Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior was the target of racist abuse from Valencia fans in a La Liga match, it expressed “the strongest and absolute condemnation of racism in sport and the violence it generates”, emphasizing that “racist, sexist and fascist attitudes on and off football fields are unacceptable in a democracy”.
In this sense, the governments of Brazil and Spain insist on “the obligation of all competent institutions to respond with the utmost care to this and to all cases that occur in the field of sports and which cannot go unpunished, guaranteeing follow-up, protection and reparation for the victims of these crimes.”
In addition, they express their “unconditional solidarity” with the attacked player, as well as with all athletes, professional or non-professional, who have been subjected to racist insults.
According to both ministries, sport should be “a reflection of the values of equality, respect and diversity” and “there is no place in it for those who promote ideas of hatred, racism, persecution and intolerance.”
Similarly, Brazil and Spain stressed that they appreciate the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of both countries to promote racial equality and combat racism, racial discrimination and other forms of intolerance.
The MoU promotes cooperation and progress on equality, the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and increased access for Africans, Africans, Blacks, Roma and migrants, among other populations and ethnic groups that are most often subjected to racial discrimination.
The agreement is based on the fact that racism is “structural” and that facts such as what happened in Valencia are “not isolated but deeply rooted in society”.
Therefore, in order to achieve its eradication, the agreement establishes that states must recognize and protect the rights of those who suffer and “implement effective public policies that strongly counteract racism.”
In the case of Spain, the ministry headed by Irene Montero indicates that the future Racism Law is configured as “horizons for the comprehensive articulation and materialization of this agenda”.
Meanwhile, in the Brazilian case, the ministries of racial equality, sports and justice ensure that they work together to develop a national program to combat racism in sports.
Vinicius Junior, 22, has been the target of several racist slurs in recent months, and at the end of January, the player became the protagonist of an episode that led the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to send a letter to the football governing bodies (FIFA, UEFA and Conmebol) to request specific measures to punish racist behavior and raise awareness of this issue.
At the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Vinicius, sent off after attacking an opponent, at the end of the match (90 + 7), in which the Merengue lost 1-0, criticized the Spanish League and fans with a message posted on social networks.
Real Madrid have also revealed that they have filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office “for hate crimes and discrimination” against the Canarinho international.