Attack on Vini Jr. is a ‘sharp reminder’ of racism in football, says UN agency | World

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk. — Photo: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Turk asked sports event organizers for more strategies to prevent and combat episodes of racism. He called on governments to get involved as well. “And we have to start by listening to athletes of African descent,” he said.

“They (Spain) started arresting people very quickly, but we also need those who organize sporting events to take this problem very seriously,” he said. “It is more than obvious that we need to address the issue of human rights in a broader way.”

The UN commissioner also announced that he will draft a guide with protocols for avoiding and responding to racist attacks at sporting events in general.

The Spanish Football Federation cancels the expulsion of Vinicius Junior during the match against Valencia

Vinicius Jr. he was again the target of racist attacks on Sunday (21) during a match of his team, Real Madrid, against Valencia, at the Mestalla stadium, in Valencia, in the south-east of Spain .

The match was called off after the Brazilian pointed the finger at the fans who had offended him. When play resumed, the players were involved in a fight. One of them, from Valencia, performed a rear naked choke on Vinicius Jr., who, breaking free, punched his opponent in the face.

The Brazilian was sent off, but on Tuesday (24) the red card was canceled and part of the game’s technical commission was removed from office.

The case generated a worldwide commotion. The president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, the entity which organizes the main Spanish league, downplayed the episode and criticized Vinicius Jr. for complaining that the league did not do much in such cases.

After the repercussions, however, the Spanish government condemned the episode and Tebes’ speeches, and Spanish police arrested seven people involved in racist attacks and hate crimes against Vinicius Jr. Three of them will respond freely.

Benjamin Allen

"Evil pop culture fanatic. Extreme bacon geek. Food junkie. Thinker. Hipster-friendly travel nerd. Coffee buff."

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