SAO PAULO (AP) 鈥 About 100 Brazilian protestors gathered outside the Spanish consulate in Sao Paulo on Tuesday to condemn the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vin铆cius J煤nior in Spain鈥檚 top-flight soccer league.
The protesters chanted 鈥淟a Liga is racist鈥 and 鈥渆nd with racism in Spain and in Brazil鈥 for about an hour. They brought flares, banners and stickers that read 鈥淰ini Jr, I am with you.鈥 They projected the words 鈥渋t is not soccer, it is racism鈥 onto the walls of the consulate.
Vin铆cius, who is Black, has been subjected to repeated racist taunts since he arrived in Spain five years ago. Since the Spanish league season began in September, he has experienced racist abuse by fans of at least five rival teams.
Former soccer player Claudia Rodrigues, 51, one of the organizers of the protest, said the idea was not to bring thousands of people to the consulate, which sits in one of Sao Paulo's wealthiest regions, but to act quickly and show the Spanish goverment it needs to act.
鈥淰ini behaved as a warrior, a Brazilian man that honors our ancestors,鈥 Rodrigues said. 鈥淰ini is facing racism in Europe. Regardless of financiers, sponsors, it is very important for our society and very important for young Black people, who look at them as heroes.鈥
Spanish police have arrested seven people accused of racially insulting the Real Madrid player. Three were detained in Valencia for alleged abuse against Vin铆cius in a Spanish league match on Sunday. Four were arrested in Madrid for allegedly hanging an effigy of the player off a highway bridge in January.
Representatives of several Brazilian Black movements read out loud a statement showing support for the 22-year-old soccer star. Drivers honked in support and chanted against the Spanish league from their cars.
The statement said Vinicius faced aggression 鈥渙f the Spanish far-right that oppresses Blacks" and 鈥淰ini Jr. makes us proud."
"We will be standing next to him, with clenched fists and our heads high up.鈥
Spanish soccer officials also acted Tuesday, fining Valencia 45,000 euros ($48,500) and closing part of the team鈥檚 stadium for the next five games.
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