“The prize the racists have won is my red card. It’s not football, it’s La Liga.” This is a quote from Vinicius Jr following his sending-off in a 1-0 defeat by the Valencia fans. The 22-year-old Brazilian has been subject to Soccer racism in La Liga after being abused 11 times this season. Being one of the most targeted players in Europe to be thrown racial slurs, Vini came out to social media to express his discomfort towards the act and at the same time, dragging the La Liga president.
Racism has been one of the most talked about topics in Soccer today. Players and officials are being abused because of their skin colour or nationality.
Although Vinicius Jr directed his anger specifically towards La Liga, it’s been an act that has been in world Soccer for so many years. Many Soccer players both past and present have fallen victim to this disgusting behaviour. Let us take a look at some of the players that have suffered from racial abuse from the fans.
MARIO BALOTELLI
Italian forward Mario Balotelli has suffered racist insults throughout his career. After playing for 11 different clubs, Balotelli has suffered racism in most of the clubs he has played for, especially during his days in Serie A. The Italian has received and endured all sorts of insults, and monkey chants.
One time he was thrown bananas by Roma fans while he and his teammates took a stroll in the streets. One could say Balotelli is the most racially abused player in Italy. Now let’s look at the most abused player in England.
RAHEEM STERLING
The English forward who currently plays for Chelsea FC has received the most racial abuse in England. The 28-year-old has been a constant victim of racism even while playing for the English National team.
Almost similar to Balotelli, Sterling receives insults because of his skin colour in almost every match he plays. He has come out numerous times to express his displeasure towards the act but to no avail.
VINICIUS JR
One of the most talked about Soccer players today, as regards racism, has to be Vinicius Jr. Like we talked about at the beginning of the article, Vini Jr has been abused 11 times already this season. The young Brazilian forward came out to social media about the increasing abuse in La Liga.
The most recent case was against Valencia by the Valencia fans and was shown a red card for his reaction. Players from around the world have come together in solidarity with the youngster claiming that racism must stop once and for all. Even the president of Brazil had to address the issue on live TV.
VICTOR OSIMHEN
The Napoli and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been a victim of racism since he moved to Italy in the summer of 2020.
The 24-year-old has been in outstanding form this season helping his team Napoli to the Scudetto victory for the first time in 33 years scoring 23 goals in the process but the Nigerian has been a constant victim of racial abuse, especially from the fans of Roma, Hellas Verona and Fiorentina. Osimhen described racism as a bad disease that can actually make one commit suicide.
CONCLUSION
Racism didn’t just start and end with these guys. The players mentioned above are some of the most abused players in recent years.
A lot of black players have gotten insults, monkey chants and even death threats. From Bukayo Saka to Marcus Rashford not forgetting Wilfred Zaha… The list is endless and it’ll remain this way if nothing is done about it by the Soccer authority.
Different leagues have come out to put a stop to this disgusting act from “Soccer supporters”. The Premier League players, before match kick-off take a knee indicating there’s no room for racism but nothing has changed as players keep on getting abused on a daily basis both on the pitch and on social media.
This act didn’t just start in Soccer. It’s been there before Soccer and those who don’t watch the game also indulge in it as well and now fans have brought it into our beautiful game. The FA, UEFA and FIFA should take appropriate steps towards ending this and we the fans should let go of racist behaviours driven by emotions.
I’ll forgive you for these atrocities.
