The state of Rio de Janeiro, where Vinicius Jr was born and raised, approved on Tuesday a bill that provides for the cessation of football matches in case of racist behavior. A first measure in this area in Brazil after the new insults suffered at the end of May in Spain by the Real Madrid striker.
The text, presented to the State Legislative Assembly, provides that "in the event of a complaint or proven racist behaviour", meetings are interrupted for a period defined by the organizer of the event, or suspended if the incidents are repeated or are the work of a group.
The measure approved by the state of Rio (center) is thus part of the "Vini Jr policy to fight against racism". It also plans to disseminate awareness-raising campaigns during half-time periods and the implementation of public policies to help victims of racist acts.
🙏🏾🤝🏿 pic.twitter.com/GqfOtPKQCt
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) June 6, 2023
Anyone can refer an alleged racist act to the authorities, the draft says. This follows a new wave of racist attacks against the Brazilian player of Real Madrid, targeted by racist insults.
At the end of January, an inflatable doll with his likeness was hung from a viaduct, then insults were uttered during a Spanish league match against Valencia at the end of May. The case caused a scandal, leading to several arrests with heavy penalties and fueled criticism of the Spanish federation.
The controversy "reinforced the need to create a policy that encourages respect, such as a protocol to combat racism in stadiums," argued the deputy and author of the bill, Josemar Pinheiro de Carvalho.
In Brazil, complaints of racism in stadiums increased by 40% in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.
