“Of course I understand” – Raphinha stands with Vinicius Junior over response to racist abuse

The recent El Clasico match, where Barcelona triumphed 4-0, was overshadowed by incidents of racist abuse within Spanish football.

A few Real Madrid fans reportedly directed racial slurs at Barcelona players Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati during the game at the Santiago Bernabeu, prompting an investigation into the matter.

In an interview with El Pais, Raphinha shared his thoughts on the

Read full article.incident and explained why he and his teammates chose not to report the abuse immediately.

He acknowledged the emotional impact of such insults, stating that while players are accustomed to hostile fan behavior, the nature of the insults complicates the situation.

Raphinha mentioned a conversation with Ansu Fati, who expressed greater distress over the abuse, while they were less aware of the specific insults directed at them during the match.

Raphinha also defended Vinicius Junior, who has faced repeated racist attacks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the personal struggles that may influence Vinicius's reactions.

He noted that while Vinicius is generally cheerful, the ongoing racism deeply affects him, and Raphinha empathizes with his frustration, recognizing that he cannot fully grasp Vinicius's experiences.

The ongoing issue of racism in football requires urgent attention and action, not just from Real Madrid, but from the entire Spanish football community.