Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ace Vinicius Jr named the head of the anti-racism committee by FIFA
Earlier today, FIFA president Gianni Infantino met with Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr to discuss the issue of racism.
The 22-year-old Brazilian speedster had been targeted with racist abuse regularly this past season at away stadiums in Spain. Indeed, Vinicius had to deal with racism during games against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Real Valladolid, Mallorca, and Valencia.
The incident at the Mestalla against Valencia was the last straw as Vinicius completely hit out at La Liga and RFEF over a lack of action against racism, with the Real Madrid ace drawing support from all across the globe from footballers and personalities from other fields.
Gianni Infantino had also spoken up in support of Vinicius after the incident at the Mestalla. And now taking matters a step further, the FIFA president has announced that the Real Madrid winger will be the leader of the anti-racism committee formed by FIFA to tackle the issue.
“There will be no more football with racism in it. The games should be stopped immediately when it happens. Enough is enough,” Infantino said (h/t Reuters) after his meeting with Vinicius in Barcelona.
“I asked Vinicius to lead this group of players that will present stricter punishments against racism that will later be implemented by all football authorities around the world. We need to hear the players and what they need to work in a safer environment. We are very serious about it,” he added.
“We will implement very blunt and strong punishments to end once and for all the problem of racism in football. We can’t tolerate racism anymore. As president of FIFA, I feel I needed to talk personally with Vinicius about it.”
Furthermore, Infantino went on to stress that racism was not a problem only in Spain but across the globe and stressed the need to stop matches immediately when such an incident occurs at a stadium.
“We need to stop the games, apply disciplinary and competitive measures and all of it needs to be coordinated with local authorities and governments. An act of racism is a criminal act… From now on, FIFA will take legal actions with local authorities too, we will join complaints filed in local justice,” he said.
“It’s impossible to tolerate it anymore. We need the help and support from the authorities because the racists need to be identified, detained and banned for life from any stadium in the world.”
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
Dada Ajai-Ikhile
June 15, 2023 at 7:22 pm
This is welcome development from FIFA. It’s a good move from the highest level of global football administration. IMO, individuals, clubs, football associations and nations have been getting away with ‘soft’ penalties sometime none at all, for repeated racist actions directed at innocent footballers. It’s time to take decisive actions by the final word on world football. Kudos Infantino!