Former Spain boss Javier Clemente has sparked controversy by suggesting that Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. is not being targeted due to his race, but rather his personality. Clemente, who managed the Spanish national team in 1996, believes that Vinicius Jr.’s temper and tendency to argue with opponents, fans, and referees has made him a lightning rod for abuse.
Clemente, 74, claimed that Vinicius Jr. is a great player, but his angry demeanor on the pitch has attracted negative attention. He said, “I would like him not to be so angry on the pitch. If he gets kicked, he should take it and keep it. In football, there are bad tackles or wrong refereeing decisions, but if you can’t take that, you don’t like it. He is a great player, but he argues with his opponent, he argues with the public, he argues with the referee, he argues with my sister.”
Clemente went on to say that Vinicius Jr.’s focus on his skin color has brought him unwanted attention, saying, “I think that if the lad were to reflect on this, he would be a person loved by everyone. It is not a problem of color. We are not a racist country and that is very clear. What happens is that he has focused on it like this because it has interested him and I think that it is not good for him.”
Vinicius Jr., 22, has faced a string of racist incidents during his time in Spain, with fans and media abusing him due to his race. His father, Miguel Ângelo dos Santos, has spoken out publicly about the abuse, saying that it has left his son emotionally scarred.
Despite Clemente’s comments, Vinicius Jr.’s form on the pitch has been impressive. He has scored 12 goals and eight assists in 18 games for Real Madrid this season, and has been instrumental in the team’s LaLiga and Champions League campaigns.
However, Clemente’s opinion has been met with widespread criticism, with many seeing his comments as dismissive of the racism faced by Vinicius Jr. and other players of color. Vinicius Jr.’s team-mate, Karim Benzema, has also spoken out against racism, saying that it is “unacceptable” and that footballers should not have to endure such abuse.
In response to Clemente’s comments, Vinicius Jr.’s fans have taken to social media to defend him, using the hashtag #NotRacistBut to express their solidarity with the Brazilian star. The hashtag has been trending on Twitter, with many fans calling for Clemente to apologize for his hurtful comments.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for greater action to combat racism in football. Despite the efforts of governing bodies and anti-discrimination campaigns, racism remains a persistent problem in the sport. Vinicius Jr.’s story is just one example of the abuse faced by players of color, and it is clear that more needs to be done to make football a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
