The Spanish and Brazilian football federations announced plans on Tuesday for a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid in March 2024 to combat racism, after global outrage at the abuse of Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior .
The Brazil winger, 22, suffered racial abuse by Valencia supporters in May, provoking worldwide outrage after he squared off with fans in one stand. ALSO READ: Spain investigates racism in football, after further abuse hurled at Vinícius Jr
Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales and his Brazilian counterpart Ednaldo Rodrigues revealed their plans for the game, alongside Spain internationals Ansu Fati and Rodrigo Moreno.
‘I want to announce that the match against racism between Spain and Brazil will be at the Santiago Bernabeu,’ Rubiales told a news conference. ‘It’s the ideal stage for an encounter between two of the best teams in the world.’
Rubiales also said the match taking place in March depended on Spain qualifying directly for Euro 2024, as those dates would be potentially needed for play-offs if not.
‘It [the game] a way of saying “enough”,’ said Rodrigues. ‘It protects joy in our football, and shows that this intolerance and attitude are unacceptable.’
Vinicius issued a strongly-worded statement after he was abused, saying: ‘Today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.’
Leeds forward Rodrigo, born in Brazil, was happy about the arrangements for the match, given the slogan, ‘The Same Skin’.
‘I think it’s a great initiative on the part of both federations,’ he said. ‘It’s very important to use the power of football to denounce and fight against discrimination.’
Earlier in June legislators in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro approved a law on Tuesday to curtail football matches affected by racist abuse, after a wave of disgust over the treatment of Vinicius, a native of the state.
Supporters found guilty of abusing Vinicius were issued stadium bans and fines by Spanish authorities last week.
🗣️ Luis Rubiales, presidente de la @RFEF: “Quiero anunciar que el partido contra el racismo entre España y Brasil será en el Santiago Bernabéu".
— RFEF (@rfef) June 13, 2023
➡️ "Es un escenario ideal para un encuentro entre dos de las mejores selecciones del mundo".#UnaMismaPiel | #UmaSóPele pic.twitter.com/MCQPVLhKr3
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1 comment
HA!
Why not have the match played in EL Mestalla in Valencia???
That will give the Valencia fans an opportunity to show how Spanish football is not as radical towards non Spanish players…
Yeah, RIGHT!!!!
Seriously speaking. This is just a show and will do little to squash what has become more and more apparent over the years.
No.
What La Lega need to do is what the FA did in the past. Stamp out racism in sports with a hammer!
Come down hard on such things.
Of course, it will take time. But a friendly between two nations like this is nearly not enough as the Real Madrid fans have come to embrace the diversity which a captain like Madrid should have anyways… Who’s following Brazil..?
Please!!!!