The Star: Move the World Championship if racism continues

Spain should be stripped of hosting the 2030 World Championship if the country does not get to grips with racism in the stands. That's what Real Madrid star Vinicius Júnior believes. Spain is not a racist country, teammate Dani Carvajal hits back.

» Updated: September 11 2024

» Published: September 05 2024

The Star: Move the World Championship if racism continues
Photo: Gabriel Jimenez/AP/TT

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It was in an interview with CNN earlier in the week that the Brazilian, who has repeatedly been subjected to racist attacks from spectators, raised the question:

There are great opportunities for improvements until 2030, so I hope that Spain can develop and understand how serious it is to offend someone because of their skin color.

Created debate

If that does not happen, Fifa should not allow Spain to host the Men's World Championship 2030, said the 24-year-old winger.

Then I think we must move the World Championship. It is problematic if a player cannot feel comfortable and safe when playing in a country where they can be subjected to racism.

His statement has caused great debate in Spain.

Spain is in no way a racist country, said teammate Dani Carvajal at a press conference on Wednesday in connection with Spain's Nations League gathering.

I know what Vinicius has been subjected to, but La Liga has improved and rules have been developed to ensure that these people are no longer allowed to attend sports events, continued Carvajal.

National team coach Luis de la Fuente agrees.

There will always be unwanted events, but Spain is not racist. Our country is an example of coexistence and integration, said de la Fuente.

Convicted of imprisonment

Madrid's conservative mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida has gone so far as to condemn Vinicius Junior's statement and said that the player should apologize.

In June, three Valencia supporters were sentenced to eight months in prison for racist insults against the Brazilian during a La Liga match last year. In July, another person was sentenced to eight months' conditional imprisonment for racist attacks on the internet against Vinicius Junior and his German Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rüdiger.

Spain is expected to host the World Championship 2030 together with Portugal and Morocco, with three matches in South American Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Fifa will formally decide on the host nations for the championship in December this year.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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