Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr “can’t fight racism alone” in Spain, according to a player who was banned after climbing into the stands to confront a supporter about alleged abuse.
Vinicius expressed solidarity with Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Kane Sarr, who received a red card after the incident during a Spanish third-tier league match.
The Brazilian player broke down in tears last month while discussing the impact of racist abuse in Spanish stadiums.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti remarked that he has never witnessed a player facing persecution like the 23-year-old.
“Vinicius is doing incredible work regarding racism in Spain. I want to thank him,” Sarr told Newsday on the BBC World Service.
“If every player like him took a stand, I’m not saying racism would stop but it’s going to be slowly erased. It would be less of a topic.
“He’s doing a remarkable job.”
Vinicius took to social media to express solidarity with Sarr and his Rayo Majadahonda teammates. They walked off the pitch during last month’s game against Sestao River, refusing to return as a display of unity.
“Racists must be exposed and matches cannot continue with them in the stands,” Vinicius said.
“We will only have victory when the racists leave the stadiums and go straight to jail, the place they deserve.”
Sarr was “grateful” to have the backing of a player who had 10 incidents of racial abuse against him reported to prosecutors by La Liga last season.
“He’s a generous man who knows what he wants,” Sarr, 23, said. “But one person can’t fight racism alone. He needs support.
“Racism has no place in the world and in the world of soccer.”
Suspension after confrontation ‘not fair’
Sarr believes that Spanish football is not committed to effectively addressing racism, especially considering how his situation was addressed.
After the incident in Sestao on March 30th, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) imposed a two-match ban and a fine of 600 euros ($645, £510) on him – a penalty Sarr considers unjust.
Additionally, Rayo Majadahonda received an automatic 3-0 defeat, lost three points, and were fined 3,006 euros ($3,230, £2,575) for not completing the match.
“If you’re ready to fight sufficiently against racism, you have to protect [the victim] and give him power,” said Sarr.
“If you sanction him, you’re not defending the cause.
“You have to punish the other team or the person in the stand throwing racist abuse.
“If I was playing for Real Madrid, I don’t think I would have been punished. Yes, the [players] are better known, but the penalties should be the same.”
Sestao denied that there were any racist chants, external at the match, but the Basque club were also sanctioned by the RFEF with a stadium closure and a fine.
Sarr ‘wanted video to go viral’
Rayo Majadahonda were losing 2-1 when Sarr left the pitch in the 83rd minute.
“An ultra in the stands came down and started insulting me,” he explained.
“If it was a youngster – a child at best – maybe I could understand, but here it was, an old man throwing insults.
“As a player who comes to Europe to play, who tries to feed his family back in Africa, it’s just very hurtful.”
Sarr hoped his actions would expose the perpetrator to a wider audience and highlight the racism.
“I didn’t want to be aggressive or violent,” he said.
“I just wanted to find him because I wanted the video to go around [and] be viral on social media, so people could see what is happening.”
The RFEF judged Sarr’s reaction to be “contrary to good sporting order” but said there were “mitigating circumstances” when deciding on the length of his ban because of “justified sufficient provocation, motivated by the racist insults received”.
Sestao were ordered to play two home games behind closed doors and were fined 6,001 euros ($6,440, £5,140) for “failing to act diligently or co-operate in the repression of violent, racist, xenophobic or intolerant behaviour”.
Sarr says he has previously experienced racism playing in Spain but this abuse was on a different level.
“Two years ago, a fan in the stand was making gestures but at the time it made me laugh.
“This time I just couldn’t cope with it because it was just pure racism. It’s the first time in my life I can really say I’ve been the victim.”
‘If it happens again I’ll leave the pitch’
Sarr considers the response from his teammates to be “remarkable.”
“It’s the first time in Spain that a team has refused to continue playing,” he claimed.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the team, the president, the staff, because it touched me deeply.”
Rayo Majadahonda expressed their “deep concern and disagreement”, external with “the lack of sensitivity shown” when Sarr was sent off.
However, the club opted not to contest their goalkeeper’s suspension and characterized the penalty imposed on the club as “severe.”
Sarr indicated that he might respond differently in the future, but emphasized that any experience of racism would still have a significant impact.
“I’ve learned a lot from this, but I don’t know how I would cope with it again,” he explained.
“I’m obviously not going to jump in the stands again. But I will stop playing. I’ll leave the pitch because racism is not acceptable.
“Football should be something that unites people. We should be a family.”