(CNN Spanish) – Talking about racism is not easy for him, especially because he has experienced it firsthand. However, whenever he is asked about it, Vinicius Jr., a Brazilian player for Real Madrid, finds the words with which to address the matter. He has even done it through tears, as happened in March of this year when, at a press conference for the Brazilian soccer team, he was asked about the episodes he has experienced in recent times while on the field. .
The most recent statements that the footballer gave on this matter last week in an exclusive interview with CNN sports analyst, Darren Lewis, have caused discomfort in Spain. In that conversation, the white club forward pointed out that he hoped that “Spain evolves and understands how serious it is to insult a person because of the color of their skin because, if things do not change until 2030, I think it should change places (the headquarters of the Soccer World Cup that Spain hosts along with Morocco and Portugal).
“If the players do not feel comfortable and confident playing in a country where they may suffer racism, it is somewhat complicated,” added the player. Shortly after, he clarified that “the majority of people are not racist, but there is a small group that affects the image of a country that is so good to live in and in which I love being.”
These words had an overwhelming echo in a large number of Spanish media outlets, leading to several political officials being approached to comment on the matter.
“I hope that you immediately rectify these statements,” José Luis Martínez-Almeida, mayor of Madrid, said this Wednesday. “We are all aware that, indeed, there are racist episodes still in society and that we have to work very hard to eliminate these racist episodes. But it is deeply unfair to Spain, and particularly to Madrid, to say that we are a racist society as Vinicius came to say yesterday, and that it also endangers the celebration of the World Cup (football) here in Madrid and in Spain.”
When also consulted about the Brazilian star’s statements, the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, pointed out this Thursday that Spain “is a country where respect for diversity is part of the DNA and, therefore, our effective and direct fight against all discriminatory conduct.” “The fight against hate crimes – and in this case also in the sporting field, but in general in society – is one of the priorities of the Government of Spain,” he stated.
The force of these statements also provoked reactions in the world of football. Among them, that of the Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, who claimed not to have heard the interview but to be convinced that “Spain is not racist. Spain is an example of coexistence, of respect, of integration, (…) now, there is always some undesirable person or a few undesirable people, of course.”
Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Jr.’s teammate and Spanish national team player, showed his support for the Brazilian, but denied that Spain is a racist country. “Beyond that small group of people who, as I told you, should be eradicated from the world of football, I do not consider that Spain does not deserve to celebrate the World Cup,” he stated.
Background
Vinicius Jr. was the protagonist of an unprecedented judicial event in relation to racism. In June of this year, a court in Valencia sentenced three men to eight months in prison for making racist comments and gestures against the player, in a Spanish La Liga match against Valencia CF, at the Mestalla stadium in May 2023. .
It was also established that those convicted cannot access stadiums for all Spanish football matches for two years.
