Another week, another troubling incident rocking Spanish football. La Liga is taking serious action after alleged racist chants targeted stars Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe. When will this unacceptable behavior truly end? The fight for respect on the pitch continues. What are your thoughts on these crucial anti-racism efforts?
In a significant move against discrimination in sports, La Liga has officially reported alleged racist chanting targeting two of football’s most prominent stars, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, during a recent match. This decisive action underscores the league’s unwavering commitment to eradicating racism from Spanish football and ensuring a safe, respectful environment for all players and fans.
The disturbing incident reportedly occurred at Real Oviedo’s Carlos Tartiere Stadium on August 24, during a league fixture. Witnesses and broadcast footage indicate that chants imitating monkey sounds were directed at both Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, and French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who was also involved in the game, on multiple occasions throughout the match.
La Liga’s formal complaint, submitted to Spain’s National Police General Commissariat, is backed by compelling evidence. This includes segments from Movistar’s well-known television programme ‘El Dia Despues’, which captured the alleged racist abuse, alongside various video clips that swiftly gained widespread attention across social media platforms, fueling public outcry.
Reacting to the grave allegations, Martin Pelaez, the president of Real Oviedo, issued a strong condemnation. He publicly stated, “In view of the acts of racism that are said to have taken place last Sunday, I would like to tell you that this institution, Real Oviedo, condemns any act of racism, machismo, any discrimination.” This swift response highlights the club’s rejection of such hateful behavior within its stadium.
This incident follows a troubling pattern of racist abuse faced by players, particularly Vinicius Junior, in Spanish football. In a landmark ruling in June 2024, three individuals were found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius Jr during a May 2023 La Liga match at Valencia. This marked the first criminal conviction for racist insults in a Spanish football stadium, setting a critical precedent in the ongoing battle against racism in sports.
Further emphasizing the pervasive nature of this issue, September saw another individual banned from sports stadiums for two years by a Spanish high court for racially abusing Vinicius Jr online. Additionally, a Mallorca supporter received a one-year prison sentence for separate incidents of racist abuse targeting both Vinicius Jr and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, reinforcing the legal consequences of such actions.
Just earlier this year, in May, another individual was apprehended and subsequently fined for directing racist chants at the Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr during a match against Real Valladolid. These repeated occurrences underscore the urgent need for continued vigilance and robust anti-racism efforts across all levels of the sport.
The persistent targeting of players like Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe has ignited a global conversation about discrimination-free football and player welfare. La Liga, along with other governing bodies and clubs, is intensifying its efforts to implement stricter penalties, enhance educational programs, and foster a more inclusive atmosphere, striving to ensure that the beautiful game remains untainted by hatred.
These legal and societal actions are pivotal in sending a clear message: racism has no place in football or society. The commitment to a discrimination-free football environment, where all participants are respected, is paramount, and the ongoing fight for player welfare and justice will continue until such incidents become a relic of the past.
