Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and French player Kylian Mbappe, along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, expressed solidarity with Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior following racial abuse by Valencia fans at Estadio de Mestalla on Sunday (May 21). Mbappe took to Instagram, sharing a photo of Vinicius and stating, “We are with you and support you, @vinijr.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a statement condemning racism in football and fully supporting Vinicius. Infantino emphasized that racism has no place in football or society, and FIFA stands by players who face such situations. He stressed the importance of FIFA’s three-step process to address these incidents.
Infantino explained the three-step process: First, stop the match and announce it. Second, if the abuse continues, the players leave the pitch while the speaker warns of possible match suspension. Finally, if the attacks persist, stop the match and award the opposing team the three points.
The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 35th La Liga match against Valencia at Estadio de Mestalla. Valencia fans racially abused Vinicius, prompting him to report the incident to the referee, resulting in a brief match interruption. In stoppage time, Vinicius engaged in a scuffle with Valencia players, receiving a red card. Real Madrid ultimately lost the game 1-0, placing them sixth on the La Liga points table.
Kylian Mbappe, PSG, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s support sends a strong message against racism in football. They actively stand in solidarity with Vinicius Junior, emphasizing the need for strict measures and creating a safe, inclusive environment for all players.