Real Madrid star, Vinicius Jr, heads FIFA anti-racism committee

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FIFA, the global footbal governing body, has appointed Real Madrid superstar, Vinicius Jr, as head of anti-racism committee.

President Gianni Infantino had met with Vinicius Jr to discuss the issue of racism.

The 22-year-old Brazilian speedster had been targeted with racist abuse regularly this past season at away stadiums in Spain. Indeed, Vinicius had to deal with racism during games against the likes of Atletico Madrid, Real Valladolid, Mallorca, and Valencia.

The incident at the Mestalla against Valencia was the last straw as Vinicius completely hit out at La Liga and RFEF over a lack of action against racism, with the Real Madrid ace drawing support from all across the globe from footballers and personalities from other fields.

Gianni Infantino had also spoken up in support of Vinicius after the incident at the Mestalla. And now taking matters a step further, the FIFA president has announced that the Real Madrid winger will be the leader of the anti-racism committee formed by FIFA to tackle the issue.

“There will be no more football with racism in it. The games should be stopped immediately when it happens. Enough is enough.

“I asked Vinicius to lead this group of players that will present stricter punishments against racism that will later be implemented by all football authorities around the world. We need to hear the players and what they need to work in a safer environment. We are very serious about it.

“We will implement very blunt and strong punishments to end once and for all the problem of racism in football. We can’t tolerate racism anymore. As president of FIFA, I feel I needed to talk personally with Vinicius about it,” Infantino said.

He also stressed that racism was not a problem only in Spain but across the globe and stressed the need to stop matches immediately when such an incident occurs at a stadium.

“We need to stop the games, apply disciplinary and competitive measures and all of it needs to be coordinated with local authorities and governments. An act of racism is a criminal act… From now on, FIFA will take legal actions with local authorities too, we will join complaints filed in local justice.

“It’s impossible to tolerate it anymore. We need the help and support from the authorities because the racists need to be identified, detained and banned for life from any stadium in the world,” he said.