Racist abuse of Vinícius Júnior highlights entrenched problem in soccerMADRID (AP) — Hanging from a highway bridge in Madrid, an effigy of one of the world’s most famous Black soccer players stands as a graphic reminder of the racism that sweeps through European soccer. In Italy, where monkey chants swirled around the stadium in April as a Black player celebrated a goal. In North Africa, where Black players from visiting teams from sub-Saharan Africa have complained of being targets of racist chants by Arab fans. The result is frustration and a sense of helplessness among Black players and those wanting to protect them. That leads to the paradox of soccer players, eager to boost their brands, using the same platforms on which they are being abused.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 05, 2023 04:23 UTC