Unfortunately, racism always seems to erupt in soccer regardless of the level or location. The most incident involves the targeting of Brazilian player, VinÃcius Júnior, who plays for Real Madrid in La Liga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few short weeks ago in Valencia, Spain, vicious racist insults were hurled at the 22-year-old by fans who called him “monkey” while making monkey noises. It got so bad that Júnior was reduced to tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet this wasn’t the first time the young star endured hatred, nor was it the first time he experienced it in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In January, an effigy of VinÃcius was hung off a bridge in Madrid near the team’s training area. And according to CNN<\/a>, “VinÃcius has been subjected to racist abuse from the stands on 10 occasions during La Liga matches over the past two seasons.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s gotten so bad that seven people were arrested last month and charged with a hate crime for their racist behavior directed at VinÃcius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To his credit, VinÃcius has not shied away from speaking out against the racist antics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I have a purpose in life,†he said on Twitter, “and if I have to keep suffering so that future generations won’t have to go through these types of situations, I’m ready and prepared.â€<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it shouldn’t be his sole responsibility to stand up and fight back. He should be supported in the effort to squash and punish racists who continue to tarnish “The Beautiful Game.”<\/p>