Racism in football: a security guard accused of brandishing a banana in front of a relative of Vinicius

2023-06-18 10:50:31

A friend and adviser to Brazilian star Vinicius Jr was the victim of a racist act before the friendly match between Brazil and Guinea (4-1), this Saturday evening at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium in Barcelona.

During the search at the entrance to the stadium, a security officer allegedly told 27-year-old Felipe Silveira: “Hands up, this is my weapon for you”, while taking a banana from his pocket, according to an excerpt from the complaint filed by the player’s friend, published by the website of Globe Sports. Images broadcast by the Brazilian channel SporTV show lively exchanges between the player’s friends and the staff of the sports arena.

URGENT NOW: In a symbolic game AGAINST RACISM, a security guard offers a banana to a black boy who is a friend of Vinicius Jr.

Where are we going to stop? The SECURITY went to work deliberately with a BANANA in his pocket. pic.twitter.com/RQ2y5sXxa4

— André Janones (@AndreJanonesAdv) June 17, 2023

Silveira and three other members of Vinicius’ staff complained to the agent and called the police to the scene, the Brazilian site adds.

Vini Jr already victim of racism in the Spanish championship

An incident which occurs on the sidelines of a match where, precisely, Brazil wore for the first time in its history a black jersey to protest against racial discrimination. The set was worn throughout the first period of the match by Vini and his teammates. An action on the initiative of the Real Madrid player, who wore the legendary number 10, victim of racism on several occasions in the Spanish championship.

“While I was playing with the already historic black jersey and was moved, my friend was humiliated and mocked at the entrance to the stadium. The treatment suffered was sad, at every moment they (his friend and the people accompanying him, editor’s note) doubted the surreal scene that was unfolding. The backstage is disgusting. But so that everything is public, I ask those responsible: where are the images from the surveillance cameras? wrote the Real Madrid winger on his Twitter account.

While I was playing with the already historic black shirt and getting emotional, my friend was humiliated and mocked at the entrance to the stadium. The treatment was sad, at all times they doubted the surreal scene that happened. Backstage is disgusting. But to make everything public, I ask… https://t.co/41RIJIJiuZ

— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) June 17, 2023

Both the agent and the security company denied the allegations, Brazilian media reported. The CBF said it took action as soon as it became aware of the complaint and called on the police and match organizers to “give all their support and protection to yet another victim of racism, a crime that must be fought.” vehemently and relentlessly”.