Lula da Silva: Brazil President Jumps to Vinicius’ Defence, Condemns Racial Abuse in La Liga

• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has joined a growing number of top football stars and clubs in condemnation of racial abuse in football
• The Brazil president called on FIFA and other football bodies to act swiftly in getting rid of the racism from the sport
• He made his appeal while supporting Vinicius, who was racially abused during a Spanish La Liga match

Brazil president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has joined hands with an increasing array of football stars in lending support to Vinicius Junior, who faced racial abuse during a La Liga game.

Vini experienced racist chanting during Real Madrid's loss to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium on Sunday, May 21, which was confirmed by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The incident unfolded in the second half when the zippy winger, after a pause in the game, visibly identified a fan in the stands involved in the reported abuse. He then interacted with the fans in that section of the crowd.

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Unfortunately, in the closing stages of the game, the 22-year-old was shown a red card due to his participation in a confrontation with Valencia player Hugo Duro, CNN reports.

Since then, Vini has taken to social media to criticize Spain and La Liga for their inability to deal with racial abuse while receiving support from a number of the game's top stars, including Kylian Mbappe and the iconic Ronaldo Nazario.

During a G7 meeting in Japan, Lula addressed a news conference on the sidelines, saying FIFA, the Spanish League and other soccer bodies “take measures so we don’t allow racism and fascism to take over” in the sport.

“It is not fair that a poor boy who is winning in his life, becoming one of the best in the world, certainly the best at Real Madrid, is insulted in every stadium he goes to,” Lula said as quoted by The Independent.

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Mbappe stands with Vini

Relatedly, Sports Brief reported that Kylian Mbappe has thrown his weight behind Vinicius Junior, declaring his support for the Real Madrid winger amid fresh racism chants.

At the Mestalla stadium, Vinicius found himself in a distressing situation as he encountered an unfortunate exhibition of discriminatory comments and actions from the spectators during Real Madrid's league game against Valencia.

The winger's resolve to fight the canker has received support from PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, who disclosed his desire to back the Brazilian.

Vini slams Spain amid racial concerns

In an earlier publication, Sports Brief reported that Vinicius Junior has slammed La Liga, calling out Spain as a 'country of racists' after the Real Madrid winger was subjected to another heckling during his side's league game against Valencia.

Vini endured racist chants from the crowd and later engaged in a confrontation with Hugo Duro, resulting in heightened tension that required intervention from teammates to restrain him.

After experiencing racism on numerous occasions during this La Liga campaign, the enraged Brazilian winger expressed his frustration on Twitter, referring to Spain as a 'nation plagued by racism'.