‘Enough is enough’ – Xavi fires warning after Vinicius incident

Photo: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has dropped aside club rivalries, and shown his support for Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian was humiliated by the Valencia fans, as they racially abused him on Sunday.

Xavi has called for this to come to an end, and has told the La Liga board to take hard actions.

“In general, unfortunately, there are cases of racism. Unfortunately. It’s a shame,” Xavi said at a press conference, as quoted by Football Espana.

“It’s sad and unfortunate that it happens in 2023. We have to condemn them, regardless of badges, players or clubs. We must condemn them, like Vinicius yesterday in Valencia, Valencia are already doing so. Racism must be eradicated once and for all.

“The games have to be stopped. I’ve always thought so. We’re the only place where insults are accepted, it’s the only sport in which it is accepted. I’m working and they call me the son of such and such, you can imagine…

“I don’t see a baker or a journalist putting up with this. If there are insults, then we stop playing. It’s a message to the president of the League, the Federation…

“I don’t think I should have to put up with an insult. Insult a worker, they will throw a brick at your head. I don’t have to put up with insults during my working hours and impudence of all kinds. You have to say enough is enough.

“It is an educational issue. You have to educate people so that they are not going to insult people on the pitch. I do not go to the theater to insult. It is not positive for society.

“I don’t think there is much point in saying that Spain or the League is racist, but there are racist acts. And they must be condemned. We are in an environment where we are insulted and have all sorts of things said to us.

“We are asked to be role models, but it’s hard when they insult you the whole time. It’s hard not to get angry, and that happens to Vinicius. And to any player. You have to have a favourable environment. And that’s sad.”

As a player, Xavi’s former teammate Samuel Eto’o, was also a victim of racism.

“I wasn’t at La Romareda, I experienced it from home,” he said about the Eto’o incident. “I was injured.

“You have to stop the game. You have to stop this. I don’t care about Vinicius, Eto’o, the badge or the insult. You don’t have to put up with these situations. It’s very unpleasant.

“It doesn’t happen in other sports, in tennis, in golf – shhh, let them concentrate… What happens in football? We have to say enough is enough. Stop the game and let’s go home.”

1 Comment on "‘Enough is enough’ – Xavi fires warning after Vinicius incident"

  1. Racism must end all over the world we are all human beings

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