President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his solidarity with the Brazilian player Vinicius Junior, of Real Madrid, victim of yet another racist action in a Spanish stadium this Sunday afternoon (21). For the president, the International Football Federation (FIFA), the Spanish league and the football leagues of all countries must take measures so that “racism and fascism” do not take hold of football.

“It is not possible that almost in the middle of the 21st century we have racial prejudices which are gaining strength in several football stadiums in Europe,” he said. “It’s not fair that the poor boy who has succeeded in life, who perhaps becomes one of the best [jogadores] in the world – certainly Real Madrid are the best – is offended in every stadium he attends,” added Lula.

During Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Valencia at the Mestalla stadium, the opponents’ home, Vini heard racist slurs and ‘monkey’ cries coming from the stands. This is not the first time the player has been attacked. Through social networks, he expressed his revolt with La Liga, the Spanish football league.

“It was not the first time, nor the second nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation too and the opponents encourage it. I am really sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi now belongs to the racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country in the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who disagree, but today in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens every week, I have no defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go all the way against the racists. Even so far from here,” he said.

political agenda

Lula is in Hiroshima, Japan, where he participated in the external engagement segment of the G7 Summit, a meeting of leaders from seven of the world’s largest economies: the United States, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Canada.

This Sunday, Monday morning (21) in Japan, the president spoke to the press before leaving for Brazil. Since last Friday (19) in the Asian country, the President has had an extensive program of bilateral meetings, with meetings with 11 heads of government and entities.