President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with Brazilian player Vinicius Junior, from Real Madrid, who became another victim of racist acts at a Spanish stadium this Sunday afternoon (21). For the president, the International Football Federation (FIFA), the Spanish league and football leagues in all countries must take steps to ensure that “racism and fascism” do not rule football.

“It is unlikely that almost in the middle of the 21st century we have racial prejudice reinforced in some football stadiums in Europe,” he said. “It’s not fair that it’s a poor boy who is successful in life, who might be one of the best [jogadores] in the world – of course the best Real Madrid – takes offense at every stadium he attends”, added Lula.

During Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium, home to the away side, Vini heard racist insults and shouts of “monkey” coming from the stands. This isn’t the first time players have been attacked. Through social networks, he expressed his rebellion with La Liga, the Spanish football league.

“It wasn’t the first, it wasn’t the second or the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thought it was normal, the Federation did too and the opponent pushed it. I am sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi now belongs to the racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who disagree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a racist country. And sadly, for everything that happens every week, I have no defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will fight the racists to the end. Even though it’s far from here,” he said.

political agenda

Lula is in Hiroshima, Japan, where she is participating in the external engagement segment of the G7 summit, a gathering of leaders from the world’s seven largest economies: the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada.

This week, Monday morning (21) in Japan, the president spoke to the press before leaving for Brazil. Since last Friday (19) in the Asian country, the President has had an extensive agenda of bilateral meetings, with meetings with 11 heads of government and entities.