The state of Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday approved a bill which provides for the cessation of football matches in the event of racist behavior, a first measure in this area in Brazil after the new insults suffered at the end of May in Spain by its star Vinicius Jr. The text, presented to the State Legislative Assembly, provides that “in the event of a complaint or proven racist behavior”, the meetings are interrupted for a period defined by the organizer of the event, or else suspended if the incidents are repeated or are the work of a group.
Anyone can report a suspected racist act to the authorities, says the project. It follows a new wave of racist attacks against Real Madrid’s Brazilian player Vinicius Jr, who was targeted with racial slurs during a Spanish league game against Valencia in late May.
The case caused a scandal, led to several arrests accompanied by heavy penalties and fueled criticism of the Spanish federation. The controversy “reinforced the need to create a policy that encourages respect, such as a protocol to fight racism in stadiums”, pleaded the deputy and author of the bill, Prof. Josemar.
Especially since in Brazil, complaints of racism in stadiums increased by 40% in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football. The measure approved by the State of Rio (center) is thus part of the “Vini Jr policy of combating racism”. It also plans to broadcast awareness campaigns during half-time and the implementation of public policies to help victims of racist acts. Vinicius Jr, 22, is one of the executives of the national team and Real Madrid, which he joined at 16 after making his debut in Sao Gonçalo, in the suburbs of Rio.
