Atletico Madrid fans yelled racist abuses at Real Madrid youngster Vinicius jr before the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday. The fans were spotted in huge numbers outside the Metropolitano stadium before the match chanting racist remarks in Spanish, saying, ‘Vinicius, you’re a monkey.’
It was not the best of scenes for football lovers worldwide as some Atletico Madrid fans lashed out at Vinicius jr with offensive and racist chants outside the Metropolitano Stadium just before the start of the Madrid derby.
The incident did not involve all the Atletico Madrid fans. Only a section of the fans gathered outside the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano ahead of the Derby match and could be heard singing a racist chant about the Brazil youngster.
Vinicius jr made headlines after the Chairman of Spanish Football Agents, Pedro Bravo made a comment on Spanish Television saying “Vinicius should stop playing the monkey and respects his teammates when he scores a goal.”
Pedro Bravo’s comments were met with a backlash and widespread condemnation by football fans and players worldwide who showed solidarity towards the Brazil youngster.
Former Barcelona and PSG star Neymar backed Vinicius jr, encouraging him to score goals and keep dancing. Football’s all-time legend and Brazil icon Pele condemned Pedro Bravo’s comments. Also, Real Madrid issued an official statement expressing their support and solidarity for Vinicius Jr. The club also stated its resolve to take legal action against individuals or groups that racially abuse their players.
After the whirlpool of criticisms and condemnations, some Atletico Madrid fans repeated the same racist abuse that had attracted widespread criticisms over the weekend.
In a video published by Cadena Cope, which had gone viral on social media, the Atleti fans yelled;
“You’re a monkey, Vinicius, you’re a monkey”
Meanwhile, Vinicius’ had, over the weekend, responded to Pedro Bravo’s comment on his Instagram. He issued a long written message and video to make his stand clear.
“As long as the colour of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes, there will be war,” Vinicius Jr said.
“I have that phrase tattooed on my body. I have that thought permanently in my head. That is the attitude and the philosophy that I try to put into practice in my life. They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers much more.
“But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. You can’t even imagine it. I was a victim of xenophobia and racism in a single statement. But none of that started yesterday
“Weeks ago they began to criminalise my dances. Dances that are not mine. They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, Paqueta, Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha… they belong to Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers, and black Americans. They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I’m not going to stop.
“I come from a country where poverty is very great, where people have no access to education… and in many cases, no food on the table! I don’t usually come publicly to refute criticism. They attack me and I don’t speak. They praise me and I don’t speak either. I work! I work a lot.
“On and off the field. I have developed an application to help the education of children in public schools without financial help from anyone. I am making a school with my name. I will do much more for education. I want the next generations to be prepared, like me, to fight against racists and xenophobes.
“I always try to be a professional and an exemplary citizen. But that doesn’t click, it’s not trending on the internet, nor does it motivate cowards to talk aggressively about people they don’t even know.
“The script always ends with an apology and ‘I’ve been misunderstood’. But I repeat it for you, racist: I will not stop dancing. Whether at the Sambadrome, at the Bernabeu or wherever.”
However, the youngster is yet to respond to this latest chapter by Atletico fans. A club statement by Real Madrid last week had instructed Real Madrid’s legal team to take up cases of racial abuse against the youngster. After the gestures by Atletico Madrid fans, the club is yet to respond at the time of filing this report.
Two first-half goals by Rodrygo and Valverde ensured that Carlo Ancelotti left the Metropolitano stadium with all three points to continue his unbeaten and 100 percent record.
