Rio de Janeiro: Legislators in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro approved a law Tuesday to curtail football matches affected by racist abuse, after a wave of disgust over the treatment of Vinícius. Incidentally, the new law has been named after Vinícius who also plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga.
Vinícius, a native of the Rio de Janeiro state, has been targeted multiple times by terrace racists over the past two years in Spain. State Deputy Professor Josemar, who drafted the legislation, said the winger’s treatment ‘reinforced the need to create a policy to encourage respect, as well as a protocol to combat racism in stadiums’.
The legislation – referred to by people as ‘Vini Jr’s law’ – will be sent to the governor for approval.
The text provides that ‘in the event of a complaint or proven racist behaviour’, matches will be temporarily stopped, or suspended if the incidents are repeated or are the work of a group. Anyone can report a suspected racist act to the authorities, the law says.
Vinícius has developed into one of La Liga’s most devastating players since arriving from Flamengo in 2018 for 46 million euros ($50 million). He boasts skill, rare dribbling ability, and speed.
However, Vinícius has also been repeatedly targeted by bigots. After abuse at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in May, Vinícius said Spain now ‘belongs to racists’, and that the country is seen as racist in his homeland. The latest incident triggered widespread criticism of Spanish football’s culture and authorities’ handling of discrimination.