The Tweet that Ignited the Fire:
Just days before the awaited El Clásico, FC Barcelona found itself embroiled in controversy. Miquel Camps, Barcelona’s deputy spokesperson, stirred the pot when he took a jab at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. following his play in a Champions League game. His choice of words on the platform X, previously Twitter, describing Vinícius as a “clown” became the talk of the town.
Immediate Aftermath:
While Camps soon removed the contentious post, its imprint lingered. His comment, which read, “It’s not racism, he deserves a slap for his exaggerated antics in the middle of the field,” did not escape public scrutiny. As of now, there has been no official statement from either Real Madrid or the Brazilian forward about the issue.
Vinícius and the Shadows of Racism:
This isn’t the first time Vinícius Jr. has been at the center of controversy. The Real Madrid star has faced racist backlash on multiple occasions during his tenure in Spain. Notably, he recently made headlines when he addressed the racial taunts he experienced during a game against Sevilla. The episode exemplified the pressing racism issue in Spanish football, prompting authorities to intensify their countermeasures.
When Real Madrid faced Valencia:
Earlier in the month, the spotlight was again on Vinícius when he testified in a Spanish court. This related to a distressing incident at the Mestalla Stadium, where racial slurs were hurled at him. The event resulted in the arrest of three individuals, now facing hate crime charges.
Xavi’s Call for Respect:
In light of the tweet controversy, Barcelona’s coach, Xavi, was quick to express his thoughts after their win against Shakhtar Donetsk. He subtly acknowledged the significance of the deleted tweet, stressing the importance of maintaining decorum. Highlighting the essence of El Clásico, he voiced his desire for mutual admiration and the pure spirit of football to prevail during the match.
El Clásico: A Rivalry Beyond Points:
This upcoming El Clásico, a historic football rivalry, promises to be a nail-biter. The teams, with just a point’s difference, are set to face-off, adding another chapter to their storied competition. However, an unrelated event from last Saturday serves as a poignant reminder of the issues at hand. Following a game with Sevilla, a spectator faced eviction and subsequent membership cancellation due to racist actions.