Vinicius Jr.'s bold message to CONMEBOL after another racism incident in South America

The fight against racism in South American football has once again taken centre stage, and this time, Vinicius Jr's voice has been louder than ever. After a recent racism incident involving Luighi Hanri, a Palmeiras forward, who was targeted by Cerro Porteño supporters during a Copa Libertadores Sub 20 match, the Real Madrid player didn't hesitate to take to his social media to express his support for the affected player and, at the same time, deliver a powerful message to CONMEBOL.

Vinicius Jr stands in solidarity with Luighi Hanri

Racism continues to be a persistent problem in football, especially in South America, and the incident involving Luighi Hanri served as another reminder of this sad reality. During the Copa Libertadores Sub 20 match, Cerro Porteño supporters hurled racist insults at the young Palmeiras forward, causing widespread outrage both inside and outside the stadiums.

Vinicius Jr was quick to show his support for Hanri through his social media, posting an encouraging message for the affected player. "Congratulations on your stance, brother. It’s sad, but stay strong. We’re in this fight together. How long, CONMEBOL? You never do anything. NEVER!!!!!" were Vini’s words, showing not only his solidarity with the player but also his growing frustration with the lack of action from CONMEBOL in the fight against racism.

Vinicius Jr's strong criticism of CONMEBOL

Vinicius Jr's message wasn’t just a show of support for Luighi Hanri; it was also a direct critique of CONMEBOL, the South American football governing body. The Real Madrid forward didn’t hesitate to question the inaction of the organisation in the face of recurring racism incidents happening in South American stadiums.

"How long, CONMEBOL?" Vinicius wrote, highlighting the lack of effective measures to stop these types of behaviours. The Brazilian’s complaint is not new, as he has been a vocal critic of the delayed and insufficient responses from football authorities to these racial discrimination incidents.

Moreover, Vini’s message reflects a sense of frustration shared by many other players, who, like him, feel helpless in the face of the lack of action from the football governing bodies in eradicating racism from the sport. The situation has become untenable, and the pressure from players and fans grows stronger every day.

Racism in South American football: An unresolved issue

South American football has been the stage for numerous racism incidents in recent years. Players from various nationalities, such as Vinicius Jr and others, have been subjected to racist insults during matches. However, the response from the authorities has been minimal, and in many cases, insufficient to solve the issue.

Racism in stadiums is a reality many players have to endure, and although some clubs and public figures have spoken out against these behaviours, the change in South American football seems to be slow. Sanctions against clubs and fans responsible for racist acts are rarely severe, which contributes to the continuation of this problem.