“Society is advancing and these things have to stop because if a child listens to you, he or she will continue to do so. No one is born racist and that is the basis of everything.” Nico Williams is one of the players who have recently raised their voices against the racist insults that Vinicius is receiving in different fields in Spain. “He is insulted because he is a great player and he is black,” he added after Colombia-Spain. Behind his words, beyond the despicable taste for racist insults of a minority of the stands, one can read that poor education is the main cause of this ‘disease’ that FIFA wants to nip in the bud with severe punishments.
This Monday, Vinicius, in the preview of the Spain – Brazil match that takes place in ‘his’ Santiago Bernabéu under the motto ‘One Skin’, collapsed when he was questioned about the racist insults he received and being the center of attention of this despicable chapter. “Every day I have less will to play football,” he blurted out while a few tears came to his face; “But leaving would be agreeing with the racists,” he concluded his reflection.
Espero que vocês já tenham pensado na punição deles. @ChampionsLeague 👍🏿 @UEFA 👍🏿 é uma triste realidade que passa até nos jogos que eu não estou presente! https://t.co/IDHAkG9H6S
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) March 14, 2024
In society there are codes and laws to live civically and have behaviors of mutual respect. Words, apparently, do not kill or cause visible physical damage, however, they do achieve other deeper and, also apparently, invisible problems. It is no longer a question of whoever insults being against a black person, but rather of a rude person who attacks with a weapon that he knows does harm. The bad thing is that he not only insults one person, but a large part of the world’s population.
FIFA wants to approve tougher measures against racism in its next Congress and what it will do, directly, is punish bad education. As Nico Williams pointed out, “no one is born a racist.”
Actions speak louder than words.
As supporters have big expectations on us to perform, we as players have big expectations of our leaders to use their power for good.@FIFAcom – we will be following you closely and hoping for concrete action for change. pic.twitter.com/8MfDr9OuKz
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) March 22, 2024
