Stories

Vinicius Jr. Facing Racial Abuse

Vinícius Jr. is the player who has spoken most about his experiences with racism in modern football. ESPN published an article detailing 16 separate instances from 2021 to June 2024 in which Vinícius was racially abused by fans, players, and even a Spanish talk show. Out of all these incidents, only one saw the abusers harshly punished. On May 21, 2023, during a match between Valencia and Real Madrid, Vinícius confronted fans behind one of the goals who had been shouting "monkey" at him and making gestures imitating the animal. In the 73rd minute of Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat, Vinícius addressed the situation, and after the match, he stated, "Racism is normalized in La Liga." Later, the fans involved were jailed, demonstrating the significant impact of Vinícius speaking out. However, this was the only instance where fans were incarcerated; in 12 out of the 16 reported cases, the perpetrators faced no punishment. In a press conference following a Brazil vs. Spain international friendly, Vinícius broke down in tears, discussing how racism affects his performance and robs him of his passion for the game, saying, "I just want to play football."  After that incident, the Rio de Janeiro government in Brazil would pass an anti-racism law to combat racism in sports games which will see sporting events halted or stopped if incidents of racial abuse happen mid-game. A huge step for Brazil and a giant leap in the fight against racism.

Marcus Rashford And The England National Team's Battle Against Racism

Black players on England’s national team were subjected to racist abuse after missing penalty kicks in the UEFA Euro 2020 final. Bukayo Saka (19), Marcus Rashford (23), and Jadon Sancho (21) were the targets after missing their penalty shootout kicks in the loss to Italy. There were more than 2,000 racist posts directed toward the 3 players. The abuse, mostly carried out on social media, was a heartbreaking reminder of the harsh realities that players of color face, especially after high-profile games.

They all responded by condemning the actions online, stating that they would not let the negativity win. Rashford, in particular, has become a symbol of resilience in the face of hate. He’s been unwavering in his stance against the racism aimed at him, responding with incredible grace and refusing to let it define his identity. His courageous stand against racism has ignited crucial discussions about the role of social media platforms in tackling racial abuse.

This incident also sparked an outpouring of support for Rashford, with fans and prominent figures from around the globe sending messages of solidarity. It became a rallying cry to challenge racism in football and address the unchecked abuse that often occurs online. Rashford continues to battle against racism in football, urging action not only in the sport but also in society. Along with Sancho and Saka, their responses to the abuse have been ones of resilience, and they continue to advocate in the battle against racism.

New York Red Bulls Academy Incidents

In April 2024, the New York Red Bulls withdrew their academy teams from the Generation Adidas Cup, a tournament featuring 80 of the most prestigious U-15 and U-17 academy teams from around the world. The Red Bulls pulled their teams after their youth players, Eric Tai and Joshua Grant, were racially abused by players from Hajduk Split and Monterrey.

After the game, the players said, "This changes our team forever, and the extreme lack of action taken by the league has left a feeling of mistrust and uncertainty about our safety and well-being while playing in this event and our games back home. We hope this situation will bring light to an ongoing problem in the game of football and in our world." (The Athletic)

In response, the Red Bulls organized a meeting with Black MLS stars such as Jozy Altidore and Eddie Pope to address the issues. The session focused on encouraging the players to take pride in their heritage and stand against racism both on and off the field. This proactive approach highlights the importance of supporting youth players and fostering a culture of inclusivity in football for future generations.