After scoring goal, Vini Jr. responds to racist crowd with black fist! Soccer star has been victim of racism in European soccer numerous times
Note from BBT:
- Global racism
- Racism in Brazilian society
- Brazil’s favorite racial insult against black people
- Vinicius gesture done in Europe can be applied to Brazil
At 23 years old, Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, or simply Vini Júnior, is one of the best futebol players of this generation of Brazilian superstars. Known for his speed, dazzling dribbling and scoring potential, Vini is recognized as one of the best players in the world today.
After coming to prominence playing for Rio de Janeiro’s famed Flamengo team, like hundreds of other top Brazilian soccer stars, Vini Jr. took his talents to Europe after only playing part of the 2017-18 season for the team known for its red and black colors. Vini plays for the La Liga club Real Madrid.
In May of 2017, Real Madrid signed Vinícius to a contract that would go into effect shortly after his 18th birthday in July of 2018. The cost for the transfer was €46 million, a pricetag that was second only to the sale of another superstar Brazilian, Neymar, in the history of Brazilian soccer. The cost of the Vini Jr. transfer was the largest amount ever received by a Brazilian soccer team and the highest figure a team has ever paid ever paid for a soccer player under the age of 19.
Vini hasn’t looked back since. Appearing in various tournaments, the player has won all sorts of honors and awards playing for Real Madrid as well as Brazil’s national team, or the Seleção as Brazilians call the team. Vini Jr. is also ranked as one of the most valuable players in the world in terms of what is called qexpected transfer value’, which estimates the cost of certain players being transferred to other soccer teams.
If that were the whole story of Vini Jr’s career in Europe, it woul dbe a fairy tail, but unfortunately, that it isn’t the case. Black and brown Brazilian players have long been the target of racist abuse in European soccer stadiums and Vini Jr. has to be one of the most victimized players. I’ve lost count of how many times Vini has been the target of racist chants, monkey chants and gestures on the of soccer fans in Spain. To give you an idea, below I will present just 10 of these incidents that made headline. There are actually more, but you get the idea.
Cases of racism against Vinícius Júnior in Spain
Courtesy of the Goal website
Racism is an evil that lives on, often with impunity, in society. It’s no different in soccer, and the criminal insults directed at Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior at matches in Spain are causing outrage as the episodes continue to mount.
From the striker’s arrival in Spanish soccer to the present day, there have been more than ten obvious cases of racial violence directed at the Brazilian. The most recent of these, in a La Liga match against Valencia, prompted strong repercussions from Vini Júnior himself, who even accused La Liga of complacency in dealing with the case.
Below, we take a look back at the most famous episodes of racism directed at Vinícius Júnior. It’s a list we can’t see getting any longer.
Valencia vs Real Madrid – 2023
The most recent episode took place on May 21, 2023, when Valencia fans chanted calling Vinícius Júnior a “monkey” at the Mestalla stadium. The match was interrupted, but when the ball started rolling again Vinícius Júnior was sent off and left the pitch in anger at the insults directed at him. Valencia have said they will identify the fans and ban them from the club for life.
Girona vs Real Madrid – 2023
After scoring one of Real Madrid’s goals in a 4-2 win, Girona fans called Vini a “monkey”. The case went unnoticed, without any kind of protest from the bodies involved in the game.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid – 2023
Barça fans once again called Vini Junior a “monkey” and also chanted “die!”. The Barcelona and La Liga courts of inquiry were called in and dealt with the episode by saying that racist behavior is “intolerable”.
Real Betis vs Real Madrid – 2023
The scene is repeated. Opposing fans feel free to call Vinícius Júnior a “monkey”. The episode led to a complaint being lodged with the Seville regional court. La Liga also filed a complaint with the Andalusian city’s investigative court.
Osasuna-Real Madrid – 2023
Another episode of fans calling the Brazilian a “monkey”. Television cameras caught the insults, but the perpetrators have not been identified.
Mallorca vs Real Madrid – 2023
The second case involving Mallorca. This time, the fan who called Vinícius Júnior a “monkey” was identified through a video on TikTok and, in addition to a fine of 4,000 euros, was banned from attending stadiums for a year.
Atlético de Madrid vs Real Madrid – 2023
Ahead of a game in the Spanish capital, Atlético Madrid fans have once again been the protagonists of regrettable episodes of prejudice. This time, a doll of Vini Júnior was hung from a bridge. La Liga filed a complaint with the Madrid Court of Instruction and the case is still ongoing.
Almost four months later, the Spanish police released a video showing the arrest of young men aged 19, 21, 23 and 24, all of whom were suspected of carrying out the scene of Vini’s hanging. According to the authorities, one of those arrested had a record of bodily harm.
Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid – 2022
“Black bastard”, “black ish….” were the insults uttered by Valladolid fans in the final days of 2022. The club, managed by Ronaldo Fenômeno, identified 11 fans and withdrew their season tickets.
Atlético de Madrid vs Real Madrid – 2022
Before the derby between Atleti and Real, the racist insults took place at the “El Chiringuito” show, one of Spain’s most famous TV programs. On the occasion, journalist Pedro Bravo criticized the dances used by Vini Júnior to celebrate his goals and said: “stop doing monkey business”.
Shortly before the match, Atlético Madrid fans gathered around the Metropolitano stadium chanted and called the striker a “monkey”. The whole situation inspired the “baila Vini” movement, encouraging the young star to celebrate the way he likes best.
Mallorca vs Real Madrid – 2022
Mallorca fans imitated monkey sounds directed at Vini Junior. They also chanted for the Real Madrid player to pick up bananas.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid – 2021
The first strongest episode involving racial prejudice against Vinícius Júnior took place during the game against Barcelona. At the Camp Nou, Culés fans chanted racist slurs as Vinícius Júnior left the pitch, having been substituted. A complaint was made to the hate crime analysis department of the Barcelona Public Prosecutor’s Office. It wasn’t enough.
Vini Jr scores twice and sends a message to racists in Valencia
In the same stadium, in May 2023, the Brazilian player suffered racial slurs, uttered in chorus by fans in the stands. This Saturday (3/2), he scored the two goals that prevented Real Madrid from losing
This Saturday (2/3), Vini Jr was once again the star of a Valencia-Real Madrid match at the home of the Valencians. Last season, it was at the Estadio Mestalla that the Brazilian suffered the most racial abuse of his career. This time, the racism was more on the outside of the stadium (a banner calling him a pinocchio, or a liar for revealing the racism he had suffered) and in the booing. On the pitch, Vini was instrumental in making sure Real didn’t leave the field with a defeat. After conceding two goals, the Brazilian scored the two goals that made it 2-2.
The Brazilian striker scored for Real Madrid at the end of the first half, putting the Valencians 2-0 up. So the goal had a special flavor. Vini didn’t say anything. But he said everything. After running out to celebrate the goal, he stopped on the pitch, turned to the fans, raised his arm and clenched his fist in a gesture typical of the anti-racist struggle.
In the same stadium, in May 2023, the Brazilian player was racially insulted by fans in the stands. It was an episode that had wide repercussions worldwide, sparking demands for severe punishment in the event of insults.
Source: Goal, Correio Braziliense
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