Gianni Infantino,President of FIFA, announced on Thursday that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior will lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee. By amplifying the voices of those affected, implementing stricter penalties, and promoting education and awareness, Tomorrow.events strongly believes it is a leap forward towards suppressing the evil of racism in football fields worldwide. Tomorrow.events believes that with the creation of this special committee and the inclusion of Vinicius Jr. and other players in it, FIFA seems to be heading in the right direction.
Vinicius Junior
Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior, age 22, has earned a reputation for his explosive speed, impressive technical skills, and fearless playing style. He first made a name for himself as a talented young player in the renowned Flamengo academy before securing a high-profile transfer to Real Madrid in 2018. In just a few years, he has achieved notable success, including two Spanish league titles, two Spanish Super Cups, the UEFA Champions League, the Club World Cup, and a UEFA European Super Cup.
However, Vinicius Junior’s impact extends beyond his exceptional football abilities. He has emerged as a prominent voice in the battle against racism within the sport. Taking a stand against discriminatory incidents both on and off the field, he has become an inspiration for aspiring players from diverse backgrounds. His courageous advocacy has solidified his position as a role model for aspiring athletes, demonstrating the power of using one’s platform to promote positive change.
FIFA Anti-Racism Committee
This committee will be made up of players and It will suggest stricter punishments for discriminatory behavior in football. The decision came after Infantino announced full support for Vinicius following the latest incident of abuse in May during a match against Valencia.
The announcement came after Infantino met with Vinicius and the Brazil national team and the CBF President, Ednaldo Rodrigues. The team is scheduled to play Guinea in Barcelona on Saturday as part of a Brazilian FA (CBF)-led anti-racism campaign.
Zero Tolerance
Infantio took to Instagram in another post and stated “It’s very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner – zero tolerance. FIFA is together with the Brazilian Football Confederation and with all the players in this fight. It’s important to introduce sporting sanctions and I congratulate CBF for having done so already.” He further added “We want to identify racists in stadiums and across social media. They are criminals. We have to fight against them away from stadiums. They have to be banned from stadiums across the globe. The authorities need to take these people to court and we will say this to all of them. Racism is a crime.
We will also strengthen the engagement with players on this crucial topic so I am glad Vinicius accepted to be part of a task force which will include other important players and will elaborate concrete and efficient measures to end racism in football once and for all.”
Vinicius Stands Against Racism
Following the meeting Vinicius Jr. did a press conference regarding the announcement and shared his resolve to continue fighting racism on and off the pitch.
Vinicius and Tebas Tweet-Off
It is important to note that this was the 10th incident of racist abuse against Vinicius that Spain’s LaLiga reported during this season. After the incident Vinicius took to Twitter and stated that “ It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.”
Javier Tebas, the President of La Liga, faced widespread criticism for his handling of the incident, as he admonished the player on social media, stating that “Before criticizing and insulting LaLiga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly.”
Vinicius responded to his Tweet by stating, “Once again, instead of criticizing racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me.” He further added, “I want actions and punishments. Hashtag doesn’t move me.” However Tebas later apologized for his statement.
Solidarity With Vinicius Jr.
Following the latest incident the entire Real Madrid squad stood in solidarity against racism wearing his name and number.
Madrid announcd on Monday that Vinicius will wear the Iconic number 7 shirt in the next season after the departure of Eden Hazard, who got his jersey number from the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo.
Several players including Toni Kroos,Thibaut Courtois, Rio Ferdinand also took to social media in solidarity with Vinicius and raised their voices against racism.
Racism in Football -Not a New Challenge
From offensive chants in stadiums to discriminatory gestures and online abuse, racism remains a persistent problem that stains the beautiful game. Despite significant efforts to address the issue, recent incidents, like this one serve, as a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done to eradicate racism from football and create a truly inclusive environment. The video below shows just a few such incidents of racism in recent football history.
Other Recent Initiatives
Football governing bodies, such as FIFA and UEFA, have launched various campaigns to raise awareness and combat racism. In February 2021 The Premier League launched “No Room for Racism”. The UEFA launched the “Equal Game” initiative in 2019 that aims to educate fans, players, and officials about the importance of diversity and respect.
In conclusion, football authorities are recognizing the need for stricter penalties for racist behavior. Tomorrow.events foresees that if stricter punishments and serious actions are actually implemented, the world might finally experience football as a wholly inclusive sport. It is essential for football governing bodies, clubs, players, and fans to work together to create a truly inclusive environment, free from racism and discrimination.
