Paul Pogba backs Vinicius Junior and calls for action to tackle racism in football - 'Nothing has changed'
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Updated 23/05/2023 at 15:50 GMT+1
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has offered his "full support" to Vinicius Junior after the Real Madrid star was subjected to racist abuse yet again at the weekend. Vinicius said after the incident in a statement that “racism is normal in La Liga”, adding the league “belongs to racists”. Juventus player Pogba said "nothing has changed" with racism in football.
Ancelotti blasts La Liga's 'racism problem' after Vinicius abuse from fans
Paul Pogba has spoken out in support of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and called for players to “find a real solution” to racism “by ourselves”.
Vinicius was sent off during a 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Sunday after being subjected to racist abuse from fans.
It was not the first such incident the Brazilian has suffered, and he criticised La Liga afterwards as being a league that “belongs to racists” and where “racism is normal”.
Juventus and France midfielder Pogba issued a strong response to the incident on social media on Tuesday.
“It's not the first time, it won't be the last either,” Pogba wrote on Instagram.
“But we must never let that pass again. We have so many examples and I think we all agree today that nothing has changed since then.
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Paul Pogba Instagram post
Image credit: Instagram
“Bananas, animal noises, songs against us? It's mental illness and I think we all agree that neither ads nor slogans will change these people.
“If I've learned one thing this year, it's that when someone has a black heart, nothing and no one can change that.
“If the institutions don't want to find a real solution, let's try to do it by ourselves, for ourselves. Vinicius Junior full support bro”.
“If the institutions don't want to find a real solution, let's try to do it by ourselves, for ourselves. Vinicius Junior full support bro”.
Vinicius responded to Pogba’s post, writing: “We will fight for those who come next”.
The 22-year-old, who joined Real Madrid from Brazilian side Flamengo in 2018, has repeatedly been targeted with racist abuse during his time in Spain.
The latest incident led to an international backlash, with La Liga president Javier Tebas coming under fire after his comments following the incident.
“Since those who should explain to you what it is La Liga can and cannot do in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it to you, but you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself,” Tebas wrote on Twitter in response to Vinicius' post.
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Spanish Football Federation president admits La Liga has racism problem
“Before criticising and insulting La Liga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly Vini Jr. Do not let yourself be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other’s competencies and the work we have been doing together.”
Vinicius responded to Tebas by saying: “Omitting yourself only makes you equal to racists. I'm not your friend to talk about racism. I want actions and punishments”.
In a statement, La Liga said it had been “proactive in the face of all racist incidents against Real Madrid CF player Vinicius Jr” and would “take the appropriate legal action” after an investigation if it identifies racism.
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