The president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) expressed his shock and profound sadness regarding the alleged incident involving Brazilian player Vinicius Junior during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid.
He said: “I was shocked and deeply saddened by the racist incident involving Vinicius Junior.”
Infantino Rejects Racism
The FIFA president added: “There is absolutely no place for racism in our sport or in our society, and we need the concerted efforts of all relevant parties to hold those responsible accountable.”
He continued: “At the International Federation, through the Global Stand Against Racism initiative and the Players’ Voice Committee, we are committed to ensuring the respect and protection of players, referees, and fans, and to taking appropriate action when any incident occurs.”
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He praised referee François Letexier for activating the anti-racism protocol by using the hand signal to stop the match and address the situation.
He emphasized that FIFA and football show their full solidarity with the victims of racism and any form of discrimination.
International Federation of Association Football
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is the global governing body for soccer, founded in Paris in 1904 to oversee international competition. Its history is marked by the organization’s expansion to 211 member associations and its role in organizing the FIFA World Cup, which began in 1930.
FIFA
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing body for association football, founded in Paris in 1904 to oversee international competition. It is best known for organizing the FIFA World Cup, a global tournament first held in 1904.
Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America, known for its vast Amazon rainforest and vibrant cultural exports like samba and football. Its modern history began with Portuguese colonization in 1500, leading to independence as an empire in 1822 and the establishment of a republic in 1889. The nation is characterized by its diverse population, a legacy of indigenous peoples, European settlers, and Africans brought during the transatlantic slave trade.
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Flamengo and has since become a key player, renowned for his dribbling and pace, helping the club win multiple trophies including the UEFA Champions League.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current group and knockout format and name in 1992. It is widely considered the most prestigious club tournament in European football.
Benfica
Benfica is a historic neighborhood and civil parish in Lisbon, Portugal, best known worldwide as the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of the country’s most successful football clubs founded in 1904. The area’s name is believed to derive from a 14th-century chapel dedicated to São João de Benfica, with the club’s iconic Estádio da Luz stadium becoming its modern cultural landmark.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, renowned for its record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture and its Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a major sporting landmark.
Global Stand Against Racism
The Global Stand Against Racism is not a specific physical place or cultural site, but a worldwide movement and ongoing effort to combat racial discrimination and promote equality. Its history is rooted in centuries of anti-racist activism, gaining significant momentum through events like the civil rights movements of the 20th century and the establishment of international frameworks such as the UN’s International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Players’ Voice Committee
The Players’ Voice Committee is a representative body within professional football, established by FIFA in 2017. It was created to give players a formal platform to discuss and influence global football matters, such as employment conditions and the match calendar, directly with the sport’s governing bodies.
UEFA
UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, is the administrative and governing body for association football in Europe, founded in 1954 in Basel, Switzerland. It organizes prestigious continental club and national team competitions, most notably the UEFA Champions League and the European Championship.
François Letexier
François Letexier is a French football referee who has officiated at the highest levels of the sport, including Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches. He became an international referee for FIFA in 2017 and has since been selected for major tournaments, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
