Vinicius Jnr: lights go out at Christ the Redeemer statue in support of Real Madrid star, as Spain investigates racist abuse
- Brazilian government calls on Spanish authorities to punish fans responsible for racial insults during La Liga match at Valencia
- Fifa boss Gianni Infantino expresses solidarity as Kylian Mbappe, Rio Ferdinand, and F1 star Lewis Hamilton also voice their support
The lights on Rio de Janeiro’s iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer were switched off for an hour on Monday night in a display of solidarity with Vinicius Jnr after the Brazil forward was racially abused during a club match in Spain.
The lights were turned off at 6pm local time to cap a day when the Brazilian government and the world of football united to condemn the racial slurs aimed at the Real Madrid player during a Spanish league match on Sunday.
The Archdiocesan Sanctuary that manages the monument carried out the act in cooperation with the Brazilian FA and the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.
“The Christ the Redeemer Archdiocesan Sanctuary repudiates the racist attacks suffered by the Brazilian player Vinicius Junior,” the body said in an Instagram post.
“The lighting of the monument will be switched off as a symbol of the collective fight against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice around the world.”
Earlier on Monday, the Brazilian government called on Spanish and sports authorities to punish those responsible for the “racist attacks” against the player, while the president of football’s governing body Fifa, Gianni Infantino, expressed his solidarity.
