Vinicius complains as advisor racially abused at Brazil friendly in Spain

Brazil’s forward Vinicius Junior takes a knee before the start of the international friendly football match between Brazil and Guinea at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat near Barcelona on June 17, 2023. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP)

Vinicius Junior complained Sunday about an alleged racist act by stadium security aimed at one of his staff before the friendly between Brazil and Guinea in Barcelona.

The Selecao wore black shirts in the 4-1 victory at Espanyol’s stadium on Saturday night, to protest against racial discrimination after Real Madrid winger Vinicius had been abused by Valencia fans, provoking global outrage in May. It was one of several incidents in which Vinicius was racially abused in Spain.

“While I was playing in the already historic black shirt and getting emotional, my friend was humiliated and mocked at the entrance to the stadium,” wrote Vinicius on Twitter early Sunday.

“The treatment was sad … to make everything public, I ask those responsible: where is the security camera footage?”

During a search at the entrance to the stadium, a security guard allegedly abused Vinicius’ friend and advisor, Felipe Silveira, 27.

“Hands up, this is my gun for you,” he is accused of saying, while taking a banana out of his pocket, according to an extract from the complaint filed by the player’s friend, published by Brazilian news website Globo Esporte.

Silveira and three other members of Vinicius’ staff complained and called police to the scene, the Brazilian website added.

Footage broadcast by Brazilian channel SporTV shows heated exchanges between the player’s friends and staff at the stadium.

The guard and the security company denied the allegations, Brazilian media reported.

The Brazilian football federation (CBF)