Vinicius' Strong Reaction Against Racism In La Liga Receives Full Support From Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. (Photo: Twitter @MercedesAMGF1)

JAKARTA - Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior continues to gain support after becoming a victim of racism in La Liga Spain. Many praised the Brazilian player's vocal action in voicing resistance to racist behavior.

Appreciation came from seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton praised Vinicius. He said the Brazilian international's statement about racism in Spanish football was a bold act.

Hamilton also described the abuse as "a devastating experience" and reminded him of his own experience.

"It's sad to think that in 2023 we still see and hear things like this," Hamilton said as quoted by AFP via Antara, Friday, May 26.

"This really reminds me something. It really gives rise to emotions, things I experience, whether it's in England or when I race in Italy or France or Spain. And things people say can be very painful. I think he (Vinicius) is very brave," added the Mercedes driver.

Vinicius, who has faced harassment since joining Real in 2018, became the target of racist singing and body movements as Real Madrid lost 1-0 in Valencia last weekend.

Furthermore, Vinicius said La Liga "belongs to racists" and criticized the league for lack of action after being racially abused several times over the past two seasons.

On Thursday, May 25, four men detained on suspicion of hanging a doll described as Vinicius on a bridge. An inflated dark-lit doll was hung on the neck from a bridge near Real Madrid's training ground hours before the derby match with Atletico Madrid on January 26.

On the other hand, the Spanish Sports Council (CSD), the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga have joined forces for a campaign against racism, in which all three institutions want to unanimously demonstrate absolute and firm resistance to any racist behavior.

This follows La Liga, which previously said it would seek more power of sanctions, with the aim of becoming more effective in the fight against violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sports.

The Spanish league organization said it had led the identification and reporting of such behavior at football stadiums over the past few years, but felt helpless when it observed how its reporting ended.