Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior has escalated his fight against racism in Spanish football by calling for Spain to be stripped of its co-hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup. The Real Madrid star, who has been subjected to repeated racist abuse from opposition fans during La Liga matches, expressed his frustration in a CNN interview on Tuesday.
Vinicius declared that Spain needs to demonstrate significant progress in tackling racism within its society before 2030. He stated, “Until 2030, there is a lot of room for improvement, so I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult someone because of the colour of their skin.” He further emphasized, “If by 2030 things don’t improve, I think we have to move the location because if a player doesn’t feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where they can suffer racism, it’s a bit difficult.”
These comments sparked a heated debate in Spain, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco, with additional matches taking place in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Vinicius’s Real Madrid teammate, Dani Carvajal, vehemently defended Spain, stating, “Spain is in no way a racist country.” He highlighted La Liga’s efforts to combat racism, emphasizing that protocols are being developed to prevent further incidents. Spain’s national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, echoed Carvajal’s sentiments, adding that Spain is a beacon of coexistence and integration.
However, Vinicius’s comments have drawn criticism from some figures, including Madrid’s conservative mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, who deemed them “deeply unfair” and urged Vinicius to apologize.
The debate comes on the heels of legal action taken against individuals who subjected Vinicius to racist abuse. In June, a Spanish court sentenced three Valencia fans to eight months in jail for racist abuse directed at Vinicius during a La Liga match last year, marking the first such conviction in Spain. In July, another individual received an eight-month suspended jail term for online racist abuse targeting Vinicius and his Real Madrid teammate, Antonio Rudiger.
Vinicius’s outspoken stance highlights the persistent issue of racism in Spanish football and has ignited a crucial discussion about the need for concrete action to address the problem. It remains to be seen whether his call for Spain to lose its 2030 World Cup hosting rights will lead to tangible change.
