US State Department extends support to Vinicius Jr. following racial abuse incident, condemns ‘horrific’ racist remarks

Government officials have now joined the worldwide campaign in support of the Brazilian.

US State Department extends support to Vinicius Jr. following racial abuse incident, condemns ‘horrific’ racist remarks

Vinicius Jr. [left] and Matthew Miller [right] (Credits: BBC, Ahram Online)

The United States criticised racist shouts directed against Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior by Spanish fans on Wednesday. They backed action taken by Spanish authorities.

“I saw the chants directed at Vinicius Junior. They were obviously horrific,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists. “I know that Spanish authorities, I believe, have taken action against them,” he said. “We condemn racism around the world wherever it takes place, including in sports, and applaud any efforts to ferret it out and fight against it.”

https://youtu.be/0h9HSaqTK_c

On Sunday, Valencia fans hurled racist remarks at the Real Madrid forward, causing an uproar. Valencia stated that the fans who made the remarks will be banned from the club for life. Three teenagers were arrested in connection with the incident, and four men were arrested in Madrid for reportedly hanging an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge.

FS Video

The United States is not usually renowned for its footballing prowess. However, President Joe Biden has been vocal in his opposition to racism. Two senior US officials visited Brazil separately this month and addressed coordinated action against racism. It is reportedly a common priority shared with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

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Javier Tebas apologises for his reaction to Vinicius Junior’s racism allegations

tebas vinicius apology
Javier Tebas apologises to the media in the light of severe backlash. (Credits: Reuters)

La Liga president Javier Tebas has apologised for implying Vinicius Junior was being “manipulated” after the Real Madrid winger spoke out against racism in Spain. The Brazil international resorted to social media to express his outrage after being harassed during Sunday’s game at Valencia, stating it was a problem he has faced all season.

Tebas responded on Twitter, saying, “Before you criticise and insult La Liga, Vini Jr., you need to educate yourself. Don’t allow yourself be manipulated.” He was heavily attacked for failing to address the matter. The La Liga president has now apologised.Manchester United launches plan to rescue Chelsea after preparing £55 million bid for this midfielder

“I did not want to attack Vinicius, but if most people understood it that way, I need to apologise. It was not my intention, I expressed myself badly, at a bad time. I think that the message, and the intention I had, was not understood by a significant number, especially in Brazil,” he told journalists.

“But I had no intention of attacking Vinicius, but rather clarifying a situation, because Vinicius had recorded a video supporting LaLiga’s actions.” Tebas defended the league’s approach, particularly in relation to Vinicius, saying, “If I hurt someone, they thought I was racist, it’s far from reality.”

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