Racism shocks Neymar and Co. in Paris

TThe mixture of anger and desperation was clearly written all over the face of hiago Silva. “It’s a shame. It’s hard to endure such impressions,” the visibly battered captain of the Brazilian national soccer team commented on the shocking level of racism that the record world champion had to endure in Paris: “It happens again and again. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we can change the attitudes of these people.”

The spectators in the stands made sure that the strong performance of the Seleção in the 5:1 (4:1) against World Cup participants Tunisia in the Parc des Princes became a minor matter. The low points were a banana toss at goalscorer Richarlison, a downpour of projectiles as Pedro scored the final score, constant laser pointer attacks and booing of the Brazilian anthem.

“It needs a change”

It almost seemed as if the Brazilian players’ anti-racism sign was what really incited the mob. “Without our black players, we wouldn’t have any stars on our jerseys,” read the banner that the pros of the five-time World Cup champions presented before kick-off – obviously in vain.

The incidents at Brazil’s last friendly before the World Cup in Qatar (20 November to 18 December) left a shocked captain. “Hopefully these people will understand at some point that it doesn’t work that way,” said Thiago Silva: “That’s the past, it needs a change. Hopefully the public will realize that these things are unacceptable.”