Global Courant 2023-05-23 09:28:26
Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue turned off its lights in a show of anti-racist solidarity with Vinicius Jr.
Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue has extinguished its lights in support of Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr after racist comments from Valencia fans at Spain’s Mestalla Stadium over the weekend.
The lights of the National Landmark in Rio de Janeiro, the same state where Vinicius Jr. was born, were extinguished for an hour at 6pm local time (3pm GMT) on Monday to conclude a day when the Brazilian government and the world of football united to condemn the racist acts that took place at the Spanish league match on Sunday.
The archdiocese that manages the monument turned off the lights in collaboration with the Brazilian FA and the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.
“(This action) is a symbol of the collective fight against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer from prejudice around the world,” the groups said, according to Brazilian media outlet Globo.
The lights of the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, went out on May 22, 2023 to condemn “racist attacks” on Brazilian football star Vinicius Jr in Spain (Pilar Olivares/Reuters)
Vinicius Jr later wrote on Twitter: “Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. An act of solidarity that moves me. But above all I want to inspire and bring more light to our struggle.”
His tweet had garnered more than half a million likes within hours of being posted.
Preto e imponente. Oh, Cristo Redentor has a problem. Uma ação de solidariedade que me emocion. Mas quero, sobretudo, inspiration and trazer mais luz à nossa luta.
Agradeço demais toda a corrente de carinho e apoio que recebi nos ultimos meses. Tanto no Brazil quanto mundo… pic.twitter.com/zVBcD4eF8k
—Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 22, 2023
(Translation: “Black and imposing. This is how Christ the Redeemer was just now. An act of solidarity that moves me. But above all I want to inspire and bring more light to our struggle. I am very grateful for all the present of affection and support that I have received from the received in recent months. Both in Brazil and around the world. I know exactly who is who. Count on me, because the good guys are in the majority and I will not give up. I have a purpose in life, and if I keep suffer more so that future generations don’t go through similar situations, I’m ready and prepared.)
Vinicius Jr. has pointed to what he described as “continuous episodes spread across different cities in Spain” after being the subject of racist chants during Real’s 1-0 LaLiga defeat in Valencia on Sunday. The game was paused after the break when Vinicius Jr pointed out to the referee those who allegedly abused him in the stands.
Valencia says police have identified a fan who made racist gestures and that person risks a lifelong stadium ban from Mestalla.
The Brazilian government earlier on Monday called on Spanish and sports authorities to punish those responsible, while FIFA’s president of the world’s governing body, Gianni Infantino, expressed solidarity.
Real Madrid said the racism against Vinicius Jr constituted a “hate crime” and had lodged a complaint with Spain’s public prosecutor’s office.
In a strongly worded statement, his club said: “Real Madrid CF shows its utmost disgust and condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinicius Junior.”
“Real Madrid believes that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, which is why it has filed the corresponding complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office, in particular the Office of Hate Crime and Discrimination, so that the facts can be investigated and accountability become clear.” .”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, meanwhile, tweeted: “Zero tolerance for racism in football. Sport is based on the values of tolerance and respect. Hate and xenophobia have no place in our football or in our society.”
Tolerance cero con el racismo en el fútbol.
El deporte se fundamentals en los valores de la tolerance and respect.
El odio y la xenofobia no deben tener cabida en nuestro fútbol ni a nuestra sociedad.
— Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 22, 2023
Other sports figures such as Kylian Mbappe, Rio Ferdinand and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton also expressed their support for 22-year-old Vinicius Jr.
Spanish Football Federation head Luis Rubiales admitted there is a real racism problem in the country’s football, where “press releases don’t work anymore”.
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