The media noise surrounding Real Madrid on Sunday evening was dedicated to their controversial win over Almeria, Vinicius Junior took the time after the match to focus on something much more important. He sent his support to AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was racially abused during a match with Udinese, demanding action.
Vinicius himself has frequently been the subject of racial abuse in Spain, suffering more than 10 recorded incidents over the last two years. Of late, those cases have gone to court, but several have also gone without convictions due to a lack of evidence. The Brazilian sent a message to Maignan on Twitter.
“Just talking won’t change anything.” These are Maignan’s words. It is time to imprison racists so that they are ashamed of who they are.”
"Solo hablar no cambiará nada". Estas son palabras de Maignan. Ya es hora de encarcelar a los racistas para que tengan verguenza de quien son.
Agradezco a quienes realmente apoyan nuestra lucha y lamento a quienes sólo aparecen con palabras vacías para ganarse la simpatía de la… https://t.co/a63M8ygo6c
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) January 21, 2024
“I thank those who really support our struggle and I regret those who only appear with empty words to gain the sympathy of the press.”
Always with you, Maignan.”
FIFA had come out with a highly critical statement on the matter at the time, and it would not be surprising if Vinicius was referencing football’s governing body, who under Gianni Infantino have accepted no criticism regarding discrimination. Equally, Vinicius has had several back and forths with La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has claimed on multiple occasions that racism is not a problem, but rather down to isolated incidenct in La Liga.
