Vinicius Jr Thinks Spain Should Not Host 2030 FIFA World Cup Due to 'Racism' Issue

Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior has urged Spain to address the issue of racism in stadiums or risk losing the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup. The Real Madrid player, who has faced racist taunts from fans during La Liga matches, emphasized the need for a change in attitudes within Spanish society. Speaking on CNN, the 24-year-old called for more progress to be made in addressing discrimination based on skin color, stating that there is ample time for improvement before the 2030 tournament. Vinicius stressed the seriousness of insulting someone due to their race and hoped that Spain would evolve and take action against racism.

"If by 2030 things don't improve, I think we have to move the location because if a player doesn't feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where they can suffer racism, it's a bit difficult."

His comments caused an uproar in Spain, which will host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco, with three matches also taking place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

"Spain is in no way a racist country," Vinicius's Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal told a news conference on Wednesday, adding Spain "does not deserve to be deprived of the World Cup".

"I know what Vinicius has to put up with but La Liga is improving and protocols are being drawn up so that these people can no longer take part in sporting events," the defender said.

Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente agreed with Carvajal.

"There are always undesirables but Spain is not racist, it is an example of coexistence and integration," he said.

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Madrid's conservative mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida condemned Vinicius's comments, calling them "deeply unfair", and said he should apologise.

A Spanish court in June handed three Valencia fans eight-month jail terms for racist abuse towards Vinicius Junior at a La Liga match last year, the first such conviction in Spain.

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In July, another person was given an eight-month suspended jail term for online racist abuse targeting Vinicius and his German Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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