Vinicius Jr. returns to Mestalla 286 days after the racist incidents he suffered during the Valencia – Real Madrid League match played on May 21, 2023. A judicialized episode that opened the channel to society for the debate on discrimination in football. Protagonists and clubs exchanged accusations. From the Valencian side, a generalization campaign was denounced. The Brazilian assured the judge that he felt “humiliated and offended”.
Wounds arose such as those of the Valencian Diakhaby, who criticized the double standard with the case that he suffered with Juan Cala in Cádiz. While Vinicius endured other episodes against him, such as those experienced in the last derby against Atlético. But he also received recognition – the Socrates Prize – or was named Goodwill Ambassador by UNESCO. Has anything changed in Spanish football in recent months?
Identification, expulsion and generalization of racists
“Although insults are a tremendously unpleasant event, it is true that they have served to raise general awareness in this regard. A problem that was submerged has been given relevance“, as reported to The Spanish Newspaperfrom the Prensa Ibérica group, Esteban Ibarra, president of the Movement against Intolerance, which has been actively working since 1991 to combat racism and xenophobic violence in society. This organization presented, after the Mestalla incidents, a complaint together with the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) before the State Attorney General’s Office.
Both organizations “completely rejected the inadmissible behavior of some fans”, against whom Valencia acted quickly. After finishing the match, the entity published a statement announcing that would ban for life individuals who uttered racist insults. Javier Solís also spoke that day, urging Ancelotti to rectify his statements. “When they showed him the red card – which Competition would withdraw later – the whole stadium chanted ‘monkey’, ‘monkey’, ‘monkey’,” said the Italian.
Mestalla’s unison chant was with the word “fool.” Generalization has been the great reason for conflict in this process. Efe reported this Wednesday that Vinicius did not affirm in court that the entire stands of the stadium to which he returned this Saturday uttered racist insults against him, as was revealed on his day in a leak of his statement. According to the transcript to which the agency has had access, The Brazilian said that the insults that offended him were from the followers he himself identified.
Vinicius, during his statement in Madrid about the racist insults in Valencia. / Europa Press
The inactivity of the Observatory of racism in sports
“I insist on one issue: we must understand that Spanish football is not racist, But there are racist behaviors in Spanish football that must be eradicated. Both in professional categories and in grassroots or intermediate performance sports. We have sufficient legislation. It must be applied rigorously and it is not being done,” says Porque Ibarra. To reinforce a solid change in consciousness, it must be accompanied by effective institutional monitoring.
For the president of the Movement against Intolerance, one of the keys is in the Higher Sports Council, an institution that has been characterized by instability in recent times. In December, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes became its fifth president since Pedro Sánchez assumed the presidency of the Government in 2018.
“We have been demanding for years that the Observatory of racism, xenophobia, intolerance and violence in sport of which we are part be convened. He hasn’t done it for ten years. The AFE union and Aficiones Unidas have also repeatedly requested it. We have sufficient legislation, but it is not being applied. This organism needs to function and do so independently.as established by law,” claims Ibarra. Only in this way, with a comprehensive approach that reaches all levels, can racism be effectively combated.
Valencia denies accreditation to Netflix at Mestalla for the documentary about Vinicius. / EFE
The ultra groups drag the rest of the stadiums
“Vinicius’ fight and solidarity with him, as a relevant figure, It is a contribution to the general fight against racism in sport and in all areas. I think the player’s response is very good, but if he continues to suffer as a ‘scapegoat’ for all this racist behavior, he should continue to report it. But I think that the clubs have to make more efforts to stop initiatives that usually start from the ultra groups and drag the rest of the stadium. They should not have a place in the fields,” Ibarra denounces.
The map of radical groups has been transforming. The dissolution of some historical formations has only been in the public eye, because their members have been reactivated in organizations that have changed their names or simply continue to access the fields. The Ultras Yomus, of Valencia CF, to cite an example close to the ‘Vinicius case’, did not become extinct despite the cessation of the Curva Nord in 2021, born ten years earlier.
“It’s not just worth making statements. Measures must be put in place to apply an internal code of ethics. The opposite is bad practice,” emphasizes Esteban Ibarra. A week before receiving Real Madrid from Vinicius, Valencia decided to expel 15 members of the most critical sector against the club’s ownership, led by Peter Lim. The reason given was “verbal violence” and Valencia’s internal regulations were applied to sanction chants wishing the death of the owner.
Valencia – Real Madrid will be the thermometer of the situation
There are still processes that remain at the complaint level. “Progress is being made in the procedure that was opened regarding the Vinicius doll hanging – by Atlético ultras -, which made symbolic reference to what the Ku Kux Klan did with black people in that deep America. On the other hand, it has there were sanctions at the individual level. But We are quite dissatisfied that those who shouted near the Metropolitano have not been identified. -in the Madrid derby a little over a month ago, where a journalist was also injured- and that this leads to a situation of impunity,” denounces Ibarra.
One of the Atlético ultras accused of hanging a Vinícius doll on a bridge. / Europa Press
This Saturday’s Valencia – Real Madrid will be a thermometer of the current situation. An always intense confrontation that this year has the great added point of interest that Vinicius Jr. will give it as long as Ancelotti considers his lineup. The situation will be ideal to contrast if there has been an intention to amend by all the parties involved with respect to what was experienced in the previous season.
The meeting has sparked international media attention and even the presence, rejected by the club, of the Brazilian production company Conspiraçao in charge of making a documentary for Netflix about Vinicius. One more day in the eternal day of reflection on racism in which football and, consequently, society as a whole lives.
2024-03-02 06:17:21
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