President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday condemned the racist abuse of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior after his fellow Brazilian was focused throughout a Spanish league match at Valencia. Speaking at a information convention on the shut of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Lula mentioned he needed to ship a message of “solidarity” to the 22-year-old ahead. “He was attacked. He was called a ‘monkey,'” Lula mentioned.

“It’s not possible, in the middle of the 21st century, to have such strong racial prejudice in so many football stadiums.

“It’s injust {that a} poor child who’s finished so properly in life, who could also be on his technique to changing into the very best on the planet — he is actually the very best at Real Madrid — will get insulted at each stadium the place he performs.”

Sunday’s match, which ended in a 1-0 loss for Real Madrid, was halted for several minutes midway through the second half after Vinicius appeared to be racially abused by a Valencia supporter.

Chaos then erupted late in the match when Vinicius was sent off for hitting Valencia’s Hugo Duro during a brawl.

Vinicius, who has been racially abused on multiple occasions in Spain, lashed out on social media after the match.

“It wasn’t the primary time, nor the second or third. Racism is the norm in La Liga. What was the league of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi has change into the league of racists,” he wrote.

“But I’m robust, and I’ll combat the racists to the tip. Even if it’s miles away from right here.”

Lula called for FIFA and the Spanish league to take “critical measures”.

“We cannot enable fascism and racism to take maintain in soccer stadiums,” he said.

There was an outpouring of support for Vinicius on social media.

Fellow Brazil international Richarlison, retired legend Ronaldo and music icon Gilberto Gil were among those who condemned the racist treatment he has received in Spain.

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