FIFA to Create Anti-Racism Taskforce with Vinicius Junior as a Prominent Figure
FIFA, the world football governing body, has announced that it will create an anti-racism taskforce, and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will play a “prominent role” in it. The announcement comes after Vinicius was racially abused by Valencia fans in May, which sparked global outrage. Vinicius has been the victim of multiple instances of racism during his time in Spain. FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Brazilian national team training camp in Barcelona and said that FIFA would work with the task force to make specific recommendations.
Infantino said that it is crucial to take action in a decisive and convincing manner against racism and discrimination. He emphasized zero tolerance towards racism and said that games must be stopped if players were abused while on the pitch. He added that there is no football if there is racism, and actions have to be taken at every level, including national level.
Earlier this week, the Spanish and Brazilian football federations presented their plan for a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabeu in March 2024 to combat racism. Vinicius issued a strongly-worded statement after he was abused, saying: “Today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.” In June, legislators in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro approved a law to curtail football matches affected by racist abuse after a wave of disgust over the treatment of Vinicius, who is a native of the state.
Vinicius Junior: A Victim of Racism
Vinicius Junior is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Real Madrid. He joined the club in 2018 from Flamengo for a transfer fee of €46 million. Vinicius has been the victim of multiple instances of racism during his time in Spain. In May 2019, he was racially abused by Valencia fans during a match, which provoked worldwide outrage. The incident led to the Spanish football authorities issuing stadium bans and fines to the supporters found guilty of abusing Vinicius.
Vinicius issued a statement after the incident, saying that he felt sad and helpless. He added that he did not understand why people were racist and that he hoped that one day, everyone would be equal. Vinicius has been vocal about racism in football and has called for stricter measures to be taken against it.
FIFA’s Anti-Racism Taskforce
FIFA’s anti-racism taskforce will work towards making specific recommendations to combat racism in football. Vinicius Junior will play a prominent role in the task force, which is a significant step towards addressing racism in football. The task force will work towards creating awareness about racism and discrimination and will take measures to prevent it from happening.
Infantino emphasized the importance of taking action against racism and discrimination and said that there is no football if there is racism. He added that referees have the power to stop games if players are abused while on the pitch. The task force will work towards creating a safer environment for players and fans alike.
The Spanish and Brazilian Football Federations’ Plan
The Spanish and Brazilian football federations presented their plan for a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabeu in March 2024 to combat racism. The match will be played between the Spanish and Brazilian national teams and will aim to raise awareness about racism in football. The match will also serve as a platform to promote equality and diversity.
Vinicius Junior issued a statement after he was racially abused, saying that Spain is known as a country of racists in Brazil. The friendly match between Spain and Brazil will be a significant step towards addressing this issue and promoting equality and diversity in football.
Conclusion
FIFA’s decision to create an anti-racism taskforce and appoint Vinicius Junior as a prominent figure in it is a significant step towards addressing racism in football. Vinicius has been the victim of multiple instances of racism during his time in Spain, and FIFA’s decision to take action against it is commendable. The task force will work towards creating awareness about racism and discrimination and will take measures to prevent it from happening. The friendly match between Spain and Brazil in March 2024 will serve as a platform to promote equality and diversity in football. It is crucial to take action against racism and discrimination in football, and FIFA’s decision is a step in the right direction.