FIFA has issued a statement in support of Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid after the Brazilian was jeered by racial hecklers during a LaLiga match against Valencia. The statement is attributed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has issued a statement in support of Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid after the Brazilian player allegedly received racial abuse during their LaLiga match at Valencia.
During the LaLiga match against Valencia, Vinicius faces abuse.
Vinicius has engaged in a contentious discussion with LaLiga president Javier Tebas about the incident after racist chanting directed at him from a section of Valencia fans forced the suspension of the Real Madrid and Valencia match.
Providing Vinicius Jr. with assistance was Infantino. FIFA condemned the incident involving the winger for Real Madrid in a press release and reiterated its anti-racism position.
The statement started, “Full solidarity to Vinicius. There is no place for racism in football or in society and FIFA stands by all players who have found themselves in such a situation.
“Events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this needs to be the case.”
Infantino outlines proper procedure for dealing with racist incidents
Infantino said, “That is why the three-step process exists in FIFA competitions and it is recommended at all levels of football. Firstly, you stop the match, you announce it. Secondly, the players leave the pitch and the speaker announces that if the attacks continue, the match will be suspended.
“The match restarts, and then, thirdly, if the attacks continue, the match will stop and the three points will go to the opponent. These are the rules that should be implemented in all countries and in all leagues.
“Clearly, this is easier said than done, but we need to do it and we need to support it through education.”
LaLiga has been embroiled in incidents of racist abuse this season, especially involving Vinicius Jr., with the Real Madrid winger taking to Twitter to complain about the repeated treatment he has gotten.
