SUMMARY
- Recently, the fans chanted a racial comment on Vinicius Jr. before the Inter Milan vs. Atletico Madrid game.
- The video of it went viral on social media, which got mixed reactions from fans.
Vinicius Jr. is one of the most highly abused soccer players in La Liga. The soccer world is not unknown to the incidents of racism that the Brazilian soccer player has endured in Spain. While the player himself has called out the league’s organizers for an investigation into the matter, it seems the problem is still a long way from being solved.
And the recent incident outside Atletico Madrid’s home stadium, Civitas Metropolitano, has sparked yet another controversy. The fans were singing “Vinicius Chimpanzee” before the Inter Milan vs. Atletico Madrid game, which caused an upheaval on X.
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
The user ‘BMAIS’ stood in solidarity with the 23-year-old when he wrote in Portuguese, “You are giant Vini! We are with you.” Another user named ‘Copa Do Brasil’ adopted a similar tone when it commented, “Não importa a cor da pele só o sentiment.” Indeed, in this era of modernization, trivial matters like racism should not matter.
The user ‘Juan Antonio’ highlighted the persisting problem of racism in the soccer world. The fan wrote, “They should be more Players to say something. Even Atlético de Madrid players This has to stop, in Spain and in the world.” The user ‘Central Palestra’ wrote, “Muito foda você ser do meu país, representatividade que o povo precisa.” It took pride in the fact that the Real Madrid player has brought so much joy to his motherland of Brazil.
Atletico Madrid fans racially abuse Vinicius Jr. yet again
‘Los Colchoneros’ has one of the most passionate and volatile fanbases in the world. However, even passion for your club should not exceed the limits of decency. Even while bantering, the fans need to have some respect for their opponents’s names. However, it seems that the Atletico Madrid fans have refused to learn from their past mistakes.
Atleti fans gathered outside the Civitas Metropolitano in Madrid to cheer on their team for the second leg of the UCL 23/24 quarterfinals against Inter Milan. However, during their charismatic chants, some fans added shouts of ‘Vinicius Chimpazee’, effectively mocking the Brazilian’s skin color.
A special night for Atleti 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/16tHKDj3mN
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 13, 2024
This did not go well with the Real Madrid player, who took to X to show his frustration over the incident. He wrote, “It’s a sad reality that even happens in games where I’m not present!”
Vinicius Jr. also tagged UEFA and the Champions League accounts, asking them to reprimand the guilty fans. The 23-year-old must be very disappointed by the incident of racism, as it is not the first time Atletico Madrid fans have targeted him.
Vini Jr. has a troubled past with Atleti fans
The second Madrid derby of the year 2023 was a haunting experience for Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian got a taste of the dark arts employed by ‘Los Rojiblancos.’ Four Atleti supporters were arrested for unveiling a poster with the words “Madrid hates Real.” However, the most gory part of the incident was the mannequin of a hung Vinicius that gave company to the threatening poster.
Koke, the captain of Atletico Madrid, had issued an indirect warning to Vinicius Jr. ahead of the Madrid Derby in September 2022. The Spaniard had warned the Brazilian not to celebrate if he scored against his club. Koke said (via Goal.com), “If in the end he scores and decides to dance, well, it’s what he wants to do. Would I understand it or not? Everyone has their own way of being and of celebrating goals as they please.”
Atletico Madrid fans have hung a mannequin from a bridge in a Vinicius JR shirt.
The sign reads ‘Madrid hates Real’.
The two sides meet in the Copa Del Rey this evening. pic.twitter.com/QjoL0XBjrt
— Bad Man’s Cheltenham Tips 🐎 (@BadManBetting) January 26, 2023
However, Vinicius Jr. disregarded Koke’s words as he celebrated extravagantly along with Rodrygo after the latter had scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win for the visitors. Even then, the Atletico Madrid fans threw racial slurs at the Brazilian, in an incident similar to 2021 by the same set of fans.
The racism incidents against Vinicius Jr. in La Liga have risen to a very toxic level. The Brazilian has constantly asked the concerned authorities to sanction the guilty parties, but no action of a substantial nature has come to fruition. The persisting racism problem in La Liga surely raises doubt over the morality of the organizers.