UEFA's apparent failure to act on abusive chanting towards Vinicius Junior at Champions League games shows it 'cannot even do the bare minimum' to protect players from racism.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona fans appeared to engage in racist and abusive chants aimed at the Brazilian prior to their Champions League last-16 matches against Inter Milan and Napoli last month, with Vinicius urging UEFA to act at the time.
However, neither incident featured in a list of sanctions issued by UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body covering those games which was issued on Thursday. UEFA has offered up no explanation for the apparent absence of any sanction, or said whether the chants remain the subject of an investigation.
European football's governing body also issued no comment at the time social media footage circulated of the chanting.
Delroy Corinaldi, the executive director of the Black Footballers Partnership which aims to increase the voice and influence of black footballers, said in a statement issued to the PA news agency: 'Black footballers love the game.
'And Vinicius has every right to expect the support of the game which extends beyond words of 'anti-racism' and a slap on the wrist for offenders. On this occasion, they seem to have failed to even do that.
'UEFA and the governing bodies are showing Europe's footballing community that they cannot even do the bare minimum to protect black players.
'Any failure to act brings home the lack of diversity and representation in the decision-making roles within football and the need for game to be held to account. It is time black footballers were seen as more than just entertainers simply there to be abused.'
Atletico and Barca fans were filmed chanting about Vinicius close to their teams' stadiums, rather than inside them. It is understood UEFA can investigate incidents which occur in a stadium precinct, not just inside, and take reports from other sources into account, in addition to its match delegates.
Vinicius responded to a post on X about the Atletico chants by saying: 'I hope you have already thought about their punishment @ChampionsLeague @UEFA.
'It's a sad reality that even happens in games where I'm not present!'
Real announced on March 15 they had filed a complaint with the Spanish legal authorities over the 'racist and hateful insults' aimed at the 23-year-old.
Vinicius broke down in tears at a press conference on March 25 when asked about the racist abuse he has suffered.
'It's exhausting because you feel like you are alone. I've made so many official complaints, but no one is ever punished,' he said.
'More and more I'm losing my desire to play, but I'll keep fighting.'
His Real team-mate, England midfielder Jude Bellingham, has also called for more to be done to tackle racism.
'No one deserves that (abuse) so it's a call-out for the people who run the game. I doubt it will happen,' Bellingham said.
'You have to play your game and hope the people look after you - they are not doing it well enough at the moment.'
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for a 'strong resolution' on racism when FIFA's members meet for the organisation's next Congress in Bangkok on May 17.
Infantino said: 'Congress will mark a milestone in FIFA's ongoing efforts to fight racism with new and stricter measures to be applied worldwide in co-operation with all our member associations and the confederations.'
viecinopr
0
UEFA continue to fail at every turn, so why act like it’s only one of a few?
Nyahbonho
1
How can you score a winning goal for your team and they are insulting you it is not fair
hidaiopryz
0
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
you are foolish like your mum and dad, senseless dog
swillah
2
Vini should try to focus on playing football, racist try to distract his focus
Keuadopty
0
Dude like talking and provoking players that's why he always fall under racist
everyone talk on the field but him is too much you know but sometimes he put himself into trouble he's a good player no one can deny that but need to work on his behavior
Anuolu190
0
Dude like talking and provoking players that's why he always fall under racist
Pain is that you ? 😹 , so make person no talk on field again ? And how is he provoking other players? By laughing? Or what ? By dribbling to make game more fun ?
Anuolu190
2
Even Suarez wey Dey bite person, them no abuse him, imagine na black man bite person that time 😹😹 and Ramos, Pepe and Diego costa are worst, are they target ? They are just hating him because he’s black and star
wuacmprtuy
0
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
You're the racist if you condone it. If a player is deemed provocative, then you can always respond back in non-racist terms. If u use racist terms, then definitely u are racist in nature - anger always reveals the true nature in you !
wuacmprtuy
1
Both UEFA & FIFA don't seem serious in tackling racism in football.
loopholes
0
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
football fans should not tolerate racism in any form. Your hate for real madrid should not blind your common sense as a human being. Thank you
Anuolu190
0
Is it only Vini who is a black player? Why always him? Vini need to control his attitudes and emotions. He is not the only black player in Laliga .
Read before you comment, you guys just hate vini for nothing
Anuolu190
1
why is Vini always talking he is the one that cause most of it
How did he cause it ? Because he laugh on field or what ? There are very serious minded idiots people here, what will you guy say about pique that’s always taunting Real Madrid players on field whenever they are wining ? Because vini don’t do more than that, even Ramos and Pepe do more than him , are they target ? Are they not target because they are white ?
Keuadopty
0
Dude like talking and provoking players that's why he always fall under racist
Butcelnotz
0
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
foolish Barça fan that's why Barcelona are trophy less 2023/24 season because of hatred minded
Anup_Anjan
0
The UEFA also support to racism.
Niybinoz
0
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
you're stupid animal because of you people racism never finished when Atlantico Madrid were playing Vini J was there?? shameless poor Barcelona fan your team will go to division next season
ABDULFATAI ADESANYA
1
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
You are nothing but empty brain human
ZackieNowell
0
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
No matter what, nobody deserves racial abuse
ZackieNowell
3
Although Vinicius is very provocative, it doesn't warrant racist abuses. Truly, UEFA and every other world football governing bodies have failed in tackling racism head-on. It won't stop until life bans and prison terms are introduced as punishments to racist slurs.
culer1
0
did u read the comment or post or u just want to act stupid, what has ATM vs inter do with vinicius or Barca n Napoli was he there to provoke them , what of yamal n tchoumeni am sure they provoke too, nonsense
And why you take your time to read my comments do you have anything to do you are just following me ??? nonsense
Hawcimopsu
3
this guy deserves everything he gets from the fans. he is so provocative
Keyaprsz
4
this act of racist must stop, because it brings down the playing spirits of the black players
yakbcdir
0
Is Bellingham white?
what of yamal n tchoumeni, was Madrid or Barca playing ucl against Madrid why still the racial slur, guys u guys are just bunch dead brains
yakbcdir
0
Who abused him again now ??? Always provoking fans and opponent players this guy is a disgrace
did u read the comment or post or u just want to act stupid, what has ATM vs inter do with vinicius or Barca n Napoli was he there to provoke them , what of yamal n tchoumeni am sure they provoke too, nonsense
Johnnycams
1
You all are stupid he is not the one who complain but you blaming him for uefa failure
yakbcdir
0
why is Vini always talking he is the one that cause most of it
yes like yamal n tchoumeni,guy shut up, just say u hate vinicius that is all. so if he talk must u reply him with racial slur
stephenzino
1
why is Vini always talking he is the one that cause most of it
wadnpstu
0
Is it only Vini who is a black player? Why always him? Vini need to control his attitudes and emotions. He is not the only black player in Laliga .
rubbish complain
funacruyz
0
No but he's British by birth, so he can at least be safe by that
lie vardrid fan, what about sterling?
funacruyz
0
What vini also did to jack is racist abuse
DiBurner
0
Is it only Vini who is a black player? Why always him? Vini need to control his attitudes and emotions. He is not the only black player in Laliga .
very stupid comment.... vinicious wasn't even present at the scenes were the chants were made... and u want him to control his attitude
risadkmpsu
2
Is it only Vini who is a black player? Why always him? Vini need to control his attitudes and emotions. He is not the only black player in Laliga .
kahacdouyz
1
The great part Barcelona and ATM are out Vini jr is winning other ucl trophy
tenacimosu
0
Both teams are out of the Champions League.
what of Diego Costa and mitrovic,why no insult cuz they have attitude problem too
Kohbclnpru
1
I don't blame the people, I called him ALTITUDE MAN, he should control his attitude
what you saying is stupid
fawdklnuy
3
Both teams are out of the Champions League.
benglam
1
I don't blame the people, I called him ALTITUDE MAN, he should control his attitude
lillyboi
1
Where are they now?? All out 😂😂 No to racism any kind
lillyboi
1
Where are they now?? Out 😂😂 No to racism
fusdlmprsu
0
cry baby Vini 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Your Mama is the one who is a disgrace. You pig.
Cazcdkrz
1
youre a fkn man not a child...fu ck
culer1
0
You are a disgrace on this earth.... It is idiots and sadists like you who with their nonsense knowledge support the culprits by accusing the wrong people.. Probably a cry baby supporter of cry baby team.... Any one discriminating anyone for the colour of their skin is a disgrace and people supporting them are bigger disgrace
Take pills and sleep Young boy
boucenorst
0
Who abused him again now ??? Always provoking fans and opponent players this guy is a disgrace
You are a disgrace on this earth.... It is idiots and sadists like you who with their nonsense knowledge support the culprits by accusing the wrong people.. Probably a cry baby supporter of cry baby team.... Any one discriminating anyone for the colour of their skin is a disgrace and people supporting them are bigger disgrace
Jidbcmnptu
5
if you through the comments, you'll see even black people are supporting the racist, just because of football rivalry. they're giving racist excuses. tell me how will the racisms stop? don't worry keep giving racists excuses because of stupid football rivalry. as far as you're black it will get to you one way or the other.
culer1
3
Who abused him again now ??? Always provoking fans and opponent players this guy is a disgrace
rubailpr
2
cry baby Vini 🤣🤣🤣🤣
LEAMZZI
2
Vini got a taste of his own medicine. (No comment IYKYK)
Ruuilmnpty
1
cry more
Vladic
0
Go back to Brazil and you’ll be king there( I think).
Martinho__jr
0
cry more😃😄😄😁
Cry, your club is trophy less this season 😭😂😂😂