Spain will host Brazil in an international soccer friendly on March 26 at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium to raise awareness against racism, the Spanish Football Federation announced on Monday.
The Spanish and Brazilian football federations announced that the match would be canceled in June, a month after an incident in which Real Madrid’s black Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior was racially abused by a Valencia fan, sparking global outrage. announced plans.
The Spanish Football Federation said in a statement that the match was “a great celebration of football between two of the most powerful teams on the international stage” and “reinforces the fight against violence and racism in football”.
It will be Spain’s first match of 2024 and Brazil’s second under new coach Dorival Junior.
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A La Liga match held at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium on May 21 was suspended for several minutes in the second half after Vinicius, who has been the target of racist slurs in Spain, was once again subjected to abusive language from the stands. It was done.
The referee wrote in his post-match report that shouts of “monkey” were directed at the players.
After the abuse, 23-year-old Vinicius issued a strongly worded statement: “Today in Brazil, Spain is known as a racist country.”
A supporter found guilty of abusing Vinicius during the match was banned from the stadium and fined by Spanish authorities.