FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his deep dismay and outrage at the racist abuse directed at Brazilian star Vinicius Junior during Real Madrid's Champions League match against Benfica. Infantino's statement underscores the firm stance taken by the world's governing body of football against any transgressions that infringe upon the dignity of players.
Details of the incident and FIFA's reaction
In an official statement posted on his verified Instagram account, Infantino said firmly: "I was shocked and saddened to see the alleged racist incident against Vinicius Junior during the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid." He added, emphasizing the need for collective action: "There is absolutely no place for racism in our sport and our society. We need all stakeholders to take action and hold those responsible to account.".
The FIFA president stressed that the organization is fully committed to protecting the elements of the game, saying: "At FIFA, through the global stance against racism and the Players' Voice Committee, we are committed to ensuring that players, officials and fans are respected and protected, and to taking appropriate action when incidents occur.".
Activating the anti-racism protocol: a crucial step
In a related development, Infantino praised the courageous decision made by referee François Letixxer, who activated the newly adopted anti-racism protocol. The referee used the "crossed arm" gesture to stop the match, the first step in the procedures for dealing with offensive chants. Infantino commented, "I commend referee François Letixxer for activating the anti-racism protocol by using the arm gesture to stop the match and address the situation.".
General context: Vinicius is an icon of the fight against discrimination
This incident adds to a series of unfortunate events that have befallen the Brazilian winger in European stadiums, transforming him into a global symbol in the fight against racism in football. These cases are no longer isolated incidents, but have become a structural challenge facing continental and national federations, necessitating stricter penalties that go beyond fines to include stadium closures and point deductions.
Expected impact and international message
Infantino's statement carries profound political and sporting implications, as FIFA throws its full weight behind the affected players, sending a strong message to clubs and national federations about the need to implement a "zero tolerance policy." This public support and the implementation of the new protocol are expected to encourage more referees to immediately stop matches upon hearing any racist chants, potentially changing the landscape of fan behavior in European stadiums and forcing hooligans to back down for fear of harming their teams.
Infantino concluded his message by affirming full solidarity: "FIFA and football show full solidarity with the victims of racism and any form of discrimination. I will always continue to emphasize: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!".
